Victoria Wulsin

Campaign Photo

Businessman David Krikorian

MADEIRA -- Businessman David Krikorian (I-Madeira) is feeling good about his chances as a first-time candidate, vying for Ohio's 2nd Congressional District. Krikorian predicted that he would pull the highest percentage of votes for any independent candidate in any race throughout the country.

He sees his race as a competition mostly between himself and U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland). Also challenging Schmidt is Dr. Victoria Wulsin (D-Indian Hill). Krikorian said that his biggest challenge in the race is convincing voters who are unenthused about Schmidt, and scared of a Democrat like Wulsin winning, to vote for him.

Krikorian makes the case that some voters might opt for Schmidt as the safest way to ensure that Wulsin will not win the election, even if their preference is for Krikorian. The businessman and entrepreneur Krikorian wants them to reject what he calls this flawed logic, and vote for him.

"We are seeing, all over the district, a huge influx of supporters to our campaign," Krikorian said. "I was out in West Union, which is out in Adams County yesterday, and out name recognition was just sky high. And post people that we talked to said they were either voting for us, or had voted for us."

The campaign of Dr. Victoria Wulsin (D-Indian Hill) got a boost this past week from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in the form of $141,525 media buy in her race against U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland).

The DCCC Independent Expenditure also disclosed spending $3,784 for media production to the Federal Election Commission, bringing total expenses for the Democratic campaign organization to above $145,000 over the past week in the race for Ohio's 2nd Congressional District.

The National Republican Congressional Committee also put some resources into the race, reporting $40,971 to the FEC, spent on printing and postage for mail targeting Wulsin.

The campaign of U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) is talking up the findings of a Tarrance Group poll commissioned by the campaign, and a $40,000 cash on hand advantage in the race for Ohio's 2nd Congressional District.

The Schmidt campaign did not release exact figures from the internal poll, including margin of error, or number of voters questioned, but did say the poll took place October 12 and 13.

Schmidt spokesperson Bruce Pfaff said that as the election heads into the final weeks not much has changed.

"Congresswoman Schmidt continues to hold a big lead over her two opponents," Pfaff said. "The Congresswoman holds an impressive 14 point lead over her nearest rival. Further, we enter the final weeks with a significant cash advantage during a period where cash very much matters."

U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) is joining U.S. Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-West Chester) in calling for the complete de-funding of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.

Schmidt is also calling for a full Justice Department investigation "to determine if ACORN's repeated illegal attempts to influence U.S. elections can be prosecuted" under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, also known as the RICO Act.

ACORN describes itself as "a community organization which aims to win power for low and moderate families."

The organization has seen Republican criticism of voter registration efforts in several states, including Ohio, and is being investigated by the Cuyahoga County Elections Board on 50 suspicious registrations.

U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) will have to undergo further treatment and rehabilitation after being struck by a car last Wednesday, but for now Schmidt has been able to return home.

Schmidt had initially been released and back to work after being hit while jogging Wednesday morning.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that Schmidt had been jogging while wearing a reflective vest with a light when a car close to the edge struck the Congresswoman on her right hip and threw her into a ditch.

Schmidt spokesperson Bruce Pfaff said that Schmidt had been on her way to Afghanistan, and had just landed at a U.S. Air Force base in Germany when she "experienced a great deal of pain and was temporarily uncounscious."

The campaign of U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) responded to an ad being run by opponent Dr. Victoria Wulsin (D-Indian Hill) by saying that the Wulsin campaign is "imploding."

Schmidt spokesperson Bruce Pfaff responed to an attack ad from the Wulsin campaign hitting Schmidt for comments made during a debate on the economic crisis.

"Another day another Wulsin lie, she just can't seem to tell the truth," Pfaff said. "She even lies about telling the truth. Ms. Wulsin's campaign is imploding, she can't seem to run ads on network T.V. and her nonsensical ramblings at the first debate did more to ensure Congresswoman Schmidt's re-election than anything we could have done. It's a good thing she has her job in Kenya to fall back on after November."

During the Monday debate for Ohio's 2nd Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) said that the economic crisis hit America two weeks ago.

Businessman David Krikorian (I-Madeira) jumped on the comment from Schmidt, saying that she may have noticed the struggling economy two weeks ago, but he had seen it coming two years ago.

After the debate, the campaign of Dr. Victoria Wulsin (D-Indian Hill) piled on with a press release hitting Schmidt for the remark. Now Wulsin is out with a new campaign ad hitting Schmidt for the remark.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt’s re-election bid has taken a back seat as she works with her house colleagues on a financial rescue bill, she said in an interview today.

“While there is an election out there, the public sent me here to work,” Schmidt said while walking to her office in the Cannon House Office Building after voting against the $700 billion financial bailout bill. “And I’ll have to worry about (the election) later.”

Schmidt did note, however, that following the failure of the bill today she voted for the House not to adjourn. After today the chamber is set to reconvene on Thursday, keeping incumbents away from their districts for at least another few days.

Schmidt, who is serving her first full term in the House, is facing a rematch from Democrat Victoria Wulsin whom Schmidt narrowly defeated in 2006.

U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) is up with her first television ad this election season, entitled, "Children."

Schmidt is being challenged by Dr. Victoria Wulsin (D-Indian Hill) and businessman David Krikorian (I-Madeira).

The ad highlights legislation authored by Schmidt and signed into law to provide funding for nutrition education programs food stamp recipients.

“Good nutrition is essential for children to grow up healthy,” Schmidt said. “I believe it is important to give the tools to those in need in order for them to make the best decisions for their family’s health. Nutrition education programs will give needy families critical nformation to help their children grow up healthy and save taxpayers billions in healthcare costs in the future."

Businessman David Krikorian (I-Madeira) says he's been trying to focus the debate in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District on the economy but has "heard virtually nothing" from his opponents on the subjects of domestic and international economic security.

Krikorian is challenging U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) for Ohio's 2nd, along with Dr. Victoria Wulsin (D-Indian Hill). Krikorian said he was issuing his statement on the proposed $700 billion bailout of financial institutions because he wants the voters in the district to know where he stands. He challenged his opponents to do the same and "prove" their understanding of the crisis and what should be done. Wulsin issued her statement on the bailout on Wednesday.

Krikorian says the he is deeply troubled by the "continuing deterioration of our financial system and lack of leadership by our elected officials in Washington."