WASHINGTON — House Republicans gave the nod to one Ohioan for a coveted spot on the House Appropriations Committee, but passed over U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, who had sought the spot since last year.

In selecting U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Madison, to the House Appropriations Committee, the steering committee chose a lawmaker with nearly a decade of seniority over Turner, R-Centerville, who was elected in 2002.

Turner, in a statement, called LaTourette "an outstanding member of Congress" and said he was glad an Ohioan got one of only two open Republican slots.

"Republican leadership was placed in the unenviable position of having to select among a pool of very strong candidates for only two open seats on the Appropriations Committee," he said.

Republicans lost six seats on the committee and were given far fewer spots than they had hoped after Democrats increased their majority last November. U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., got the other open Republican slot.

An Appropriations Committee spot is considered key to securing earmarks, and the region benefited when U.S. Rep. David Hobson, R-Springfield, served on the committee until his retirement last year. U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula, R-Navarre, also served on the committee until he retired last year.

The selection of LaTourette means no member of the House committee represents southern Ohio. The other Ohioans on the committee are U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, and Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo.

Jessica Towhey, a spokeswoman for House Minority Leader John Boehner, R- West Chester, said that one of two spots went to an Ohioan was worth note. "It's important that Ohio Republicans still have a voice on the Appropriations Committee," she said.

U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, is hoping to get a spot on the Senate Appropriations Committee.