A GUIDE TO THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES: OHIO

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BORN: May 13, 1952, McKees Rocks, Pa. EDUCATION: Ohio State U, B.S., 1974 FAMILY: Divorced RELIGION: Christian MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Legislative aide POLITICAL CAREER: Ohio Senate, 1979-82; U.S. House, 1982- ADDRESS: 2021 East Dublin-Granville Road, Suite 215, Columbus 43229. Tel.: 614-888-1100

As the new chairman of the Budget Committee, Kasich led the battle to balance the budget, leading to a series of skirmishes with the Clinton Administration that eventually shut down the Federal Government twice and inadvertently turned the tide against the Republicans. Despite the setback, Kasich remains a popular candidate at home.

THE ISSUES

Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortions YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia YES NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: "Do my colleagues know what I think Americans are saying? Let me do it. Let me keep my money in my community. Let me have my influence back. Let me have control of my neighborhood."

CYNTHIA RUCCIA (D) District 12

BORN: Sept. 17, 1952, Rochester, N.Y. EDUCATION: Columbia U, B.A., 1973 FAMILY: Husband, Nick; two children RELIGION: Jewish MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Cosmetics-sales director; musician; educator POLITICAL CAREER: Democratic nominee for U.S. House, 1994 ADDRESS: 2677 E. Main St., Bexley, Ohio 43209. Tel.: 614-236-2682

An undisputed underdog, Ruccia is going after 14-year incumbent Kasich to make a statement about Republican budget cuts. She is against tax hikes to balance the budget and is adamant about protecting funds for education, the arts and student aid. Her solution: members of Congress should cut their own salary in proportion to the amount they trim from government programs.

THE ISSUES

Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: "It's time Congress shares the pain...How can Kasich or any other member of Congress expect the American people to tighten their belts if Congress continues to stubbornly refuse to tighten its own."

KENNETH BLAIR JR. (R) District 13 (Northeast suburbs of Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown)

BORN: March 11, 1938, Bedford, Ohio EDUCATION: Ohio U, 1956-57 FAMILY: Divorced; four children RELIGION: Protestant MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Trucking-company owner POLITICAL CAREER: Newbury School Board, 1971- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 243, Newbury, Ohio 44065. Tel.: 216-564-9500.

Calling himself a "common-sense conservative," Blair won a four-way race for the nomination and hopes to offer a respectable challenge to Sherrod Brown with his proposals to downsize government. He believes the federal debt can be fixed, for instance, by eliminating the Education, Health and Human Services, and Energy departments and returning their responsibilities to local jurisdictions.

THE ISSUES

Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: "We are not the servants of the government; the government is the servant of the people."

SHERROD BROWN (D) District 13