CINCINNATI - The Hamilton County prosecutor's public admission that he had an affair with an employee has created rare drama for the Republican Party in a county where the GOP has long controlled the levers of power.
Republicans and political analysts say Michael Allen may have resigned quickly enough as regional chairman of President Bush's re-election campaign to avoid doing any political harm to Bush. But his disclosure has given Democrats at least a hope of winning the office.
Allen, who had been running unopposed for re-election on the Nov. 2 ballot, has withdrawn from the race. Now four people are running as write-in candidates, something political analysts say they cannot recall happening before.
The best-known of the four is state Treasurer Joseph Deters who, like Allen, is a Republican and preceded him as prosecutor. Deters says he would resign as state treasurer - even though his term has two years to run - if Hamilton County voters elect him prosecutor.
If Deters receives the GOP's endorsement for prosecutor, it will be another notable development in an unorthodox election, said Herb Asher, an Ohio State University political science professor.
Deters' former chief of staff pleaded guilty in August to a misdemeanor charge of giving preferential treatment, including lucrative trades, to some investment brokers seeking state business.
In addition, a fund-raiser for Deters was convicted of an election law violation for soliciting a contribution for Deters' campaign from Cleveland stockbroker Frank Gruttadauria. Gruttadauria was separately convicted for bilking clients out of $125 million.
Here you're going to have the endorsed candidate with a cloud over his head
replacing an incumbent who leaves with a cloud over his head Asher said. It's an odd way to run an election.
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