From the Cincinnati Enquirer (May 8, 2006)
Will Hackett get a rematch with Schmidt?
WASHINGTON - Less than a week after Rep. Jean Schmidt won her primary in the 2nd Congressional District, rumors are already swirling about whether her foe of last year's special election - Democrat Paul Hackett - will be back for a rematch.
Hackett's name wasn't on the ballot in last week's primary, where Indian Hill doctor Victoria Wulsin bested four other Democrats for the chance to oppose Schmidt in the November general election.
But that might not matter.
If Wulsin voluntarily withdraws her name from the race, Ohio elections law would allow the Democratic Party to name a replacement.
Hackett, an Iraq war veteran and Indian Hill lawyer, surprised the nation last year by waging a competitive race against Schmidt in the Republican-leaning 2nd District, losing only narrowly to Schmidt in August.
With that in mind, some say Hackett is still the party's best bet at beating Schmidt in the fall.
What does Wulsin say?
"I do feel that I am the stronger candidate, but I also recognize that he is well known and I am not, and because I would prefer him to Jean, sure, I'd think about it," she said, adding that it's an "interesting" idea but no one has asked her to discuss the issue or to step aside.
Hamilton County Democratic Chairman Tim Burke brushed aside questions about the plan, saying he doesn't even know if Hackett, who proclaimed that he was done with electoral politics after withdrawing from the U.S. Senate race earlier this year, would go for it.
"Look, at this point, the only thing I can say is that Victoria is an extremely impressive person," Burke said. ". She is our candidate."
Hackett's response?
"Perhaps this is being floated by Republicans to hamper Vic's ability to raise money," he suggested, adding that he hasn't talked to anyone about the plan. "It's nuts, man. Crazy. Not going to happen. I've said it over and over again: I'm not running in that race. How else can I make that clear?"