TAFT'S CHALLENGER SHUNS AID OF ISSUE 1 BACKERS

COLUMBUS - Even though Republican Gov. Bob Taft's campaign has a big lead
in fund-raising, Democratic challenger Tim Hagan said he doesn't want help
from the backers of Issue 1.

Earlier this week, leaders of the California-based Campaign for New Drug
Policies said they had presented a "Plan B" if their deep-pocket donors
decide that voters likely won't approve Issue 1 on Nov. 5.

It's to form an independent campaign committee to pour money into TV ads to
beat Mr. Taft, who has fought the proposed constitutional amendment that
would make treatment an option for any nonviolent first or second-time
felony drug-possession offender.

Mr. Hagan, who endorsed Issue 1, said it would be "pretty hypocritical" for
him to condemn independent expenditure campaigns and then let one help him
battle Mr. Taft.

"These separate committees are undermining the process. Whatever they do,
they're going to do. I don't have any control over it," Mr. Hagan said.

In 2000, Mr. Taft acknowledged that he raised funds for Citizens for a
Strong Ohio, a nonprofit arm of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, that didn't
disclose its donors in a failed bid to unseat Democratic Supreme Court
Justice Alice Robie Resnick. Ad to tout Democrats in last week before vote
The Ohio Democratic Party plans to air a television ad in the week before
the Nov. 5 election to challenge the Republicans' track record on taxes,
jobs, and education.

The 30-second spot is expected to feature the party's candidates for
governor, Tim Hagan; attorney general, Leigh Herington; Secretary of State,
Bryan Flannery; and treasurer, Mary Boyle.

The budget is expected to be about $1 million - $250,000 raised by the
candidates and the rest from the state party, said Chairman Denny White.

"The ads will help Democrats across the state," he said.

But Ms. Boyle said Tuesday night that she has no intention of providing any
of her own campaign committee's money on a joint ad with other members of
the ticket.

"I have money I've raised and we're calculating how much we think we can
afford to purchase and what's the best use of those very scarce dollars,"
she said.

She said, however, that she is encouraging donors to contribute to the
state party.

Boyle stumps for party in Lucas County visit Democrat Mary Boyle, candidate
for Ohio treasurer, urged the 50 supporters at a lunch at Lucas County
Democratic Party headquarters yesterday to help her campaign so Democrats
could establish a beachhead in state government.

Republicans have held all nonjudicial statewide offices since 1995.

"We really do need every single effort that this party can put on," she
said. "We have a responsibility to make sure the treasurer's office
addresses the needs of the working families, not just the needs of special
interests."

On the campaign trail, Ms. Boyle has attacked incumbent Republican Joe
Deters for taking contributions to his campaign from some who were doing or
would later do business with his office. Last week, the Ohio Elections
Commission tossed out a complaint on the matter filed against Mr. Deters.

"When you only have one party in control, all of a sudden you don't have
the checks and balances," Ms. Boyle said.

As the lone Democrat on the statewide ticket who has polled ahead of her
opponent, Ms. Boyle said she is proud to head a party with a bright future,
in part because of the potential of Toledo Mayor Jack Ford, who introduced
her yesterday.

"This state has an incredibly strong farm team of Democrats for the
future," she said.