DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — Democratic candidates vying to replace U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Centerville, believe this is the year the party will unseat him and put a Democrat in the Third Congressional District seat.

The three Democrats mostly criticized Turner, rather than each other, during an editorial board endorsement interview on Wednesday. Turner faces no Republican opposition.

The three Democrats who face off on March 4 are Dayton activist and businessman David Esrati, Washington Twp. businesswoman Jane Mitakides, who lost to Turner in 2004, and former Waynesville Mayor Charles W. Sanders.

The Third District covers most of Montgomery County, part of Warren County and all of Clinton and Highland counties.

Mitakides said she wouldn't be running if she didn't think she could win and that a consultant she hired found that a Democrat needs to win just 55 percent of the vote in Montgomery County to take the seat.

"I think this is going to be like the bloodbath of '94, except this time the good guys win," Mitikades said, referring to the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994.

Esrati and Sanders also said they believe Turner is vulnerable.

"I think people are fed up with Republicans. People are fed up with Mike Turner," Esrati said.

He said Turner is out of touch with his district and too beholden to donors.

While all three candidates spent most of the interview criticizing Turner, they also each contended they are the best candidate to replace him.

Mitakides said she has a deep knowledge of business and military issues, will look out for the district and, most importantly, is the one who could beat Turner.

Esrati also touted his business background and innovative ideas, said he had the best knowledge of the internet and had spent three-years spent blogging about local issues.

Sanders said he was well-established, had won elective office before and was tough and fair.