GOP Scandals Dog Ohio Candidate

Padgett, who has represented 14 of the district's 16 counties, is counting on voters to overlook her self-described "casual" and "not social" relationship with the prison-bound Ney.

"Democrats want to make a lot out of it because they need an issue," she said. "He might be a factor if people chose for him to be."

This is the kind of district Republicans usually dominate in state politics. The Ohio 18th, a mix of small-town farms and mines, stretches from Appalachia to the Columbus suburbs. Margaret Jensen, from nearby Newark, said the GOP troubles are "unfortunate." But she quickly added: "We are die-hard Republicans. We'll never go over to the other side, no matter what."

Space, a 45-year-old lawyer, said the Ohio Republican party and the Iraq war have softened many "nevers" into "maybes." His strategy is to link the GOP hopeful with the GOP congressman so that voters will see "Padgett" on the ballot and think "Ney."

The Democratic candidate said that while he has been trying for months to focus voters' attention on the ethical transgressions committed by Ney, it was not until the lawmaker's recent agreement to plead guilty that it hit home. "The reaction among constituents is that he lied to them," said Space. "It constitutes a betrayal."

Space said voters now are beginning to understand that Ney's actions are not simply the result of one bad seed but rather are indicative of the stranglehold special interests have on the Republican majority. "It is a manifestation of something more malicious," the candidate said.

And, though Padgett rarely mentions Ney by name, Space is convinced that her ties to the legislator will complicate her campaign. Space said that Ney "anointed" Padgett as his replacement. She has said that is not true -- but she has to deny it over and over, underscoring the predicament of Republicans in a year when bad breaks outnumber good by a wide margin.

Washingtonpost.com videographer Chet Rhodes contributed to this report.