Political payback?

David Pepper, one of the candidates vying for the Democratic nomination to take on Republican incumbent Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich in the fall, is picking up some impressive endorsements.

Perhaps the most surprising is from a former Hamilton County commissioner -- and a Republican at that.

John Dowlin endorses Pepper.

"I think he's mainly a Charterite," Dowlin said of Pepper, a Democrat.

There is a Procter & Gamble connection. Dowlin was a long-time P&G executive before his retirement. Pepper's father, John Pepper, is P&G's former chairman and chief executive officer.

But there also is a political connection, one that smacks of political payback.

In 2004, Dowlin was seeking re-election to his commission seat when he was challenged in the primary by fellow Republican Pat DeWine.

Heimlich endorsed DeWine who then defeated Dowlin.

Now, Dowlin is endorsing Heimlich's potential challenger.

"Phil and I are not friends," Dowlin said.

Heimlich is pleased that Dowlin endorsed Pepper.

"When I endorsed someone, at least it was a Republican," Heimlich said.

Heimlich endorsed DeWine over Dowlin, he said, because he was upset at what he viewed as Dowlin's free-spending ways while on the commission.

"If (Dowlin) is looking to re-create high-spending forms of government, he's endorsing the right candidate," Heimlich said.