by Eric Marotta
News Leader Editor
Seven-term Republican Congressman Steve LaTourette will face Democratic challenger Bill O'Neill in November for his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives 14th District.
LaTourette, a Bainbridge Township resident who has represented the district for 13 years, is seeking his eighth term in office.
O'Neill, a former judge in the Ohio 11th District Court of Appeals since 1996, left his position last June to seek election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
O'Neill said he is approaching the upcoming race against LaTourette with confidence, noting he earned more votes than the Republican, even though he had two opponents.
"In every region in this district we saw voters overwhelmingly voting for change," O'Neill told Record Publishing March 6. "I think it's clear that Congressman LaTourette is going to have to answer the tough questions when it comes to the issues voters care most about in Northeast Ohio -- jobs, health care and the war in Iraq."
According to final, but unofficial results posted by the Ohio Secretary of State, O'Neill , of Russell Township, garnered 59,851 votes to beat opponents John H. Greene Jr. (20,218 votes) and Dale Blanchard (15,627 votes).
LaTourette, who was unopposed in the Republican primary, earned 51,650 votes, according to unofficial results. He was last re-elected with more than 57 percent of the vote in a three-way race over Democratic and Independent challengers in 2006.
LaTourette said he is ready to defend his seat.
"We look forward to discussing the important issues facing the nation, as well as discussing both of our records," LaTourette said.
Greene, of Pierpont Township in Ashtabula County, said he has been a business owner for 22 years and is president of the Steelworkers Union Local 557-L.
Blanchard is an accountant who has lived in the Solon and Twinsburg areas for 24 years, but spent most of his career with the Illinois Department of Revenue as a tax auditor and an audit supervisor, according to his Web site.
None of the candidates could be reached for comment early March 5.
District 14 includes parts of Lake, Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Portage, Summit and Trumbull counties. Local communities in District 14 include Aurora, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, Munroe Falls, Northfield Center Township, Northfield Village, Reminderville, Sagamore Hills, Silver Lake, Stow, Twinsburg and Twinsburg Township.
E-mail: emarotta@recordpub.com
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