When Bob Ney ran for his sixth term in the U.S. House in 2004, he stomped his Democratic opponent by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. Two years earlier, he ran unopposed.

This year?s election promises to be much different. For that, the Heath Republican can thank Jack Abramoff.

The congressman representing a wide swath of east-central Ohio faces a rare Republican primary challenger, and four Democrats are vying to take on the GOP winner. All say they were emboldened to some degree by Ney?s ties to Abramoff, a Washington lobbyist who has pleaded guilty in a widening political-corruption scandal.

Ney isn?t responding with a full-bore campaign, but he is sticking to a schedule of meet-and-greets in the district on weekends. Ney?s constituents appreciate his work bringing highway projects and other federal dollars into the largely rural, blue-collar region, said Ney spokesman Brian Walsh.

Ney?s Republican opponent, James Brodbelt Harris, said the incumbent?s quest to shower his district with federal money runs counter to Republican principles of fiscal restraint. Harris said the Abramoff scandal has been a black eye to Republicans and Ney in particular, but he?s more concerned about Ney?s spending record.

"His view is that a congressman can create jobs through spending and porkbarrel projects," Harris said. "I view the economy as something that is created by businessmen and venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. I just reject the idea of a larger government."

Harris points to Ney?s so-so grades from the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste and the National Taxpayers Union as evidence that Ney is not committed to reining in government spending.

Walsh countered that Ney secured an unprecedented $52 million in highway spending for the district during the most recent highway-appropriations bill ? money that is much needed in the underserved areas of the district.

Walsh said Ney was busy voting this week and not available for an interview. Ney isn?t taking Harris seriously as a challenger, Walsh said, noting that Harris only recently moved into the 18 th Congressional District and has not filed campaign-finance reports required of those spending at least $5,000.

Ney?s sweep of nearly twothirds of his electorate in 2004 shows that voters approve of his approach, Walsh said.

But Democrats view the seat as within reach because of Ney?s links to Abramoff and the developing scandal in Washington. On Friday, former Abramoff associate Tony Rudy pleaded guilty to fraud and agreed to cooperate with a federal investigation into possible misconduct by members of Congress. While working for Abramoff in 2001 and 2002, Rudy funneled gifts and perks to Ney, according to information filed with his plea agreement.

Ney denies wrongdoing but hasn?t publicly responded to the allegations in detail.

Democrats are attempting to paint Ney as part of a Republican money-and-influence cabal in Washington and see the indictments as an opening to attack Ney.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which helps select and bankroll Democratic candidates, views the race as a top priority, spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod said.

"Ohioans have come to realize that Bob Ney cares more about taking care of Jack Abramoff and his special-interest pals than he does taking care of the needs and priorities of Ohio families," she said. "But come November, Ohioans will put their yearning for a change into action when they vote Bob Ney out of office."

Four Democrats are running to challenge Abramoff. Three Democratic challengers have held elective office and raised money in the current race.

All three are running as moderate Democrats, noting the district?s conservative leanings and blue-collar base.

Joseph P. Sulzer, the Chillicothe mayor and a former Ohio legislator, said his pro-gun rights and anti-abortion positions make him a viable opponent to Ney. Sulzer said he would push for more economicdevelopment programs in the district, such as cleaner-burning coal and flood-control projects. He also would move to pare back or repeal free-trade agreements, calling them harmful to Ohio workers.

"I?m the Democratic candidate who fits the district," Sulzer said. "I have the experience and the leadership."

Zack Space, the law director of Dover, is hitting at Ney?s alleged ethical lapses by promising not to accept dinners, gifts or junkets from lobbyists if elected. Space calls Ney "Jack Abramoff?s bagman."

Space also touts his limited experience in government ? his current post is his only elected office ? as an asset.

"I don?t have a history of dealing with lobbyists," Space said. "I?m not a career politician."

Jennifer Stewart, vice president of the State Board of Education, said the Abramoff scandal has fueled public desire for new representation in Washington. Stewart, a former teacher, did not directly attack Ney?s ethics, but said she would bring a new approach to the job.

Ney has gone along with the Bush administration?s cuts in the No Child Left Behind program and in college grants, Stewart said.

"I firmly believe that education needs to be the top priority in our nation," she said. "It?s closely related to jobs and economic development."

The fourth Democrat, Ralph A. Applegate, of Columbus, is a perennial candidate who does not live in the district and does not plan to raise money. Applegate said he was motivated to run by Ney?s perceived vulnerability and by his desire to reduce government spending.

Walsh said that although Ney is not mounting a full-time campaign during the May primary, he?ll become much more visible in the district afterward.

jnash@dispatch.com?