As a little-known lawyer from Dover, Ohio, Zack Space's run for U.S. House will focus on ethics and values, aiming at what the Democrats are calling the Republican "culture of corruption." His opponent Republican incumbent Bob Ney, became a target for Democrats after a federal corruption investigation revealed his close ties to lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
 Space's
Web site lists ethics as a top reason to vote for him. "The circle
of deceit between corrupt politicians, lobbyists and special interests
must be broken if this country is to address the concerns of working
families," reads one posting. Another, taking a direct stab at
Ney, says Space is "not golfing buddies with Jack Abramoff and
David Safavian." Safavian, a former official in the Bush administration,
was found guilty in June of lying and obstructing justice.
After Safavian's conviction, Space released a statement saying, "The dominoes continue to fall in Boy Ney's circle of corruption."
Ney's former chief of staff Neil Volz, who left Ney's office to work with Abramoff, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in May for working to influence Ney.
Space supports restrictions to free trade and said he considers job loss one of the most serious threats to America. He has called for reforms in America's health care system and supports stem cell research.
In the May primaries, Space defeated the frontrunner and the Democrats' favored candidate, Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer, in a field of four Democrats, winning 39 percent of the vote.
Space graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in political science. He went on to earn a Juris Doctorate from Ohio State University in 1986. He returned to his birthplace of Dover to start a law firm with his father Socrates called Space and Space Co., LPA. Space also served as a public defender and as special counsel to former Ohio attorneys general Anthony Celebrezze and Lee Fisher.
In 2001, Space ran for Dover law director and won with 70 percent of the votes. In 2003, he ran uncontested.
Space is married to Mary Wade, the first woman judge of Tuscarawas County, and currently the judge of the New Philadelphia Municipal Court. The couple has two children, a son and daughter.
Campaign Web site: www.zackspace.org
-- Compiled by Anna Shoup for the Online NewsHour
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