No Hard Feelings

Never let it be said that Harold Brooks holds a grudge.

Nineteen years ago, the Hamilton County Republican Party needed a sacrificial lamb - preferably an African-American Republican - to run against then-Ohio House Majority Leader William Mallory in his very Democratic district. They found Brooks, a bus driver who had worked as a professional sports trainer for the St. Louis Cardinals and the old St. Louis Hawks of the NBA.

Brooks campaigned night and day, but, predictably, was beaten handily at the polls.

But today, the Westwood Republican, who is vice president of the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Black Republican Forum, is out touting the candidacy of Mark Mallory, the son of his former rival, for Cincinnati mayor.

"He's the candidate who can bring the city together,'' said Brooks, retired now from his job as a courthouse security guard. "We need somebody who can bridge the racial divide.''

The Black Republican Forum backed Charlie Winburn in the mayoral primary campaign, but was left without a candidate of its own when Winburn finished out of the running.

"Even though there isn't a Republican in the race, we feel like we have to make a choice,'' said Brooks.

His old battle with the elder Mallory, Brooks said, doesn't matter.

"That was a long time ago,'' he said.