Turner gets challenger - UPDATED

Two-term Congressman Mike Turner, a Republican from Centerville who represents the 3rd Congressional District, including northern Warren County, now has three Democratic challengers:

Veterinarian Stephanie Studebaker, veteran David Fierst, who has apparently been in the race since last April, and Charles Sanders, a former mayor of Waynesville who has run unsuccessfully in the 2nd Congressional District about four times already.

Studebaker announced today that she'll be holding a fundraiser at her Centerville home with Phil Donahue, an Emmy award winning journalist (19 Emmys) and Cleveland native (The Phil Donahue Show first aired on WLW-D in Dayton), this Saturday to kick off her campaign.

The V.I.P. Reception for this event starts at 2 p.m., followed by the official campaign announcement at 4 p.m. A "Meet and Greet" will follow. The "recommended" donation to attend this event is $100. More details on the Montgomery County Democratic Party site.

The Washington-based Center for Responsive Politics has a good breakout on the money that's been raised so far in this race on their Web site. In a nutshell: Turner has nearly $188,500 to Studebaker's $8,800 and Fierst's $4,700.

In an e-mail to media, David P. Little of Cincinnati called Studebaker is a "committed activist" and a "savvy, successful businesswoman" who also is a mother of two young girls.

A quick Google search reveals that Studebaker got into politics in 2003 as the volunteer communications director for Howard Dean's failed presidential campaign operation in Ohio. She then worked on behalf of Sen. John Kerry's failed presidential campaign and the recent Reform Ohio Now proposals, which also failed.

But Studebaker is "determined to offer a positive choice in the 3rd Congressional District," Little wrote. "She deserves the support of all genuine progressives in this region."

Little, who worked with Studebaker on the recent Reform Ohio Now initiative, said he circulated details about her upcoming event because she is "much deserving."

There was no comment out of Turner's camp, which is abiding by government rules that members of Congress can't use official equipment or staff for campaign purposes.

From Turner's press secretary, Andy Bloom: "Since this is a government computer and e-mail, and as I'm not working for the campaign, I can't make any comment regarding campaign issues."