DaytonDailyNews.com

In six years in Congress, Rep. Mike Turner, R-Centerville, has not emerged as a national figure or major player on the biggest issues. But he has kept a sharp eye on matters of local interest, and he has made a difference.

In his current term, he has fought for and won sharp congressional attention to DHL's looming departure from Wilmington; he had to get the cooperation of important Democrats. (Wilmington is at the southeast corner of the 3rd District, which extends up through almost all of Montgomery County.)

Also in this term, he fought to continue the federal government's role in encouraging historic preservation, a matter of special importance to cities. And he fought the Marines on the handling of the murder of a Marine from the Dayton area who was allegedly raped and killed by another Marine. He argued that the service doesn't handle domestic violence complaints with enough urgency.

When the Bush administration wanted to shut down a program called Community Development Block Grants, which cities and, of course, Dayton depend on, he used a subcommittee chairmanship and his ties to like-minded lawmakers to oppose the plan, and he prevailed.

He has fought the Army on an environmental issue in Jefferson Twp., and his side won.

He has not fought the Air Force. Rather, he has used his position on the Armed Services Committee to be involved with issues of importance to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Finally, Rep. Turner has worked on both the national and local levels to encourage the redevelopment of brownfields, the abandoned or fallow land that needs to be cleaned up before any company is going to go near it.

On the biggest national issues, he's pretty much a reliable Republican, though he did vote for a minimum-wage increase. His most notable dissent from his party's leadership came just recently, when he opposed the bailout of banks and mortgage companies. He was wrong. He argued that the plan didn't fix the underlying problem. But that wasn't the point. The country — the globe — is facing a financial crisis.

Still, on the general issue of the mortgage meltdown (which is at the heart of the collapse of credit markets), he's had a keen focus on predatory lending and how it has destroyed families and neighborhoods. He is pushing for investigations into possible illegal behavior by lenders and for allowing bankruptcy judges to adjust the terms of mortgages.

His Democratic opponent is Jane Mitakides. She criticizes him mainly for being a regular Republican and, therefore, part of the problem in Washington. She says that one need only look out the window in Dayton to see what has come of Republican governance. She says she would vote generally with the Democrats, though with some dissents. (She is against gun regulation and inheritance taxes.)

She has not had the kind of involvement in the community that one might expect from somebody who has been here all these years and wants to be in Congress. Indeed, she's known primarily as a person who runs for Congress. (This is the second time.) She has not held lower office. While nobody holds that to be an absolute requirement for Congress, it doesn't hurt, especially if a person is otherwise unknown and unproven.

Rep. Turner is certainly the more polished and knowledgeable candidate. But he too often is abrasive and instinctively combative, which could limit his future, if not get him in trouble; everyone needs loyalists and friends eventually. He also deploys his quick intelligence in ways that at least some local people find condescending or otherwise insulting.

As he continues in Congress — as he should — he could improve his act.

More about Jane Mitakides

Age: 59

Education: Attended Wright State University

Personal: Married, two children

Web site: jane08.com

More about Mike Turner

Age: 48

Education: Bachelor's degree, Ohio Northern Univeristy; law degree, Case Western Reserve Univesity; MBA, University of Dayton

Personal: Married, two children

Web site: www.miketurner.com

Candidates running in the Nov. 4 election were asked to provide an endorsement from someone of their choosing to appear along with our views.

Jane Mitakides: 'Ready to take our country in a new direction'

This endorsement of Jane Mitakides was provided by Gen. Merrill A. McPeak, retired former chief of the U.S. Air Force.

I have known Jane Mitakides for several years and know she is a principled person who has her priorities right and will serve with distinction in the U.S. House of Representatives.

She is capable of bringing people together to get the job done for our families on issues, including America's failing economy, health care and education.

As the former chief of the Air Force, I know Wright-Patterson Air Force Base well, and I am absolutely certain that Mitakides will be a strong, important voice for the future of Wright-Patterson.

I also know Mitakides will serve in Congress with the same sense of honor and mission as so many members of her family who have served in uniform.

Mitakides is ready to take our country in a new direction, and she has the courage and the will to stand up for what is right. I urge you to support her.

Mike Turner: 'Experienced, effective leadership'

This endorsement of Mike Turner was provided by Dick Church, mayor of Miamisburg.

I am a Democrat, and I support Mike Turner. He works with me in a bipartisan manner to help Miamisburg. Turner has secured more than $30 million to help clean up the Mound, providing important economic development for the region.

Turner is experienced and effective. He has served two successful terms as Dayton's mayor and three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Turner knows how to get things done. This is no time for beginners; tested experienced matters.

Turner has a record of accomplishments. He works for us and gets results, like adding 1,000 new jobs at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Turner has brought millions of dollars to the region for important projects. He has voted to raise the minimum wage, improve the Children's Health Insurance Program, increase access to student loans, provide relief for victims of predatory lending, and move toward energy independence. Turner's experienced, effective leadership equal accomplishments that benefit all of us.