Schmidt, Chabot in endorsement dispute

Rep. Jean Schmidt’s campaign Web site lists several political endorsements, including one from fellow Cincinnati Rep. Steve Chabot.

There’s only one problem.

Chabot's office said today that the Westwod Republican didn’t endorse Schmidt, who faces a primary challenge May 2 from Republican Bob McEwen, a former congressman from southern Ohio.

"We have not been asked for an endorsement by anyone in that race," Chabot spokesman Gary Lindgren said today, adding that Chabot backs both Schmidt and McEwen.

But Schmidt spokesman Barry Bennett said Schmidt has a different recollection of a Feb. 16 meeting with Chabot, during which she asked for Chabot’s support and was told she had it.

"She believes she walked out of that meeting with his endorsement," Bennett said. "Now they are saying that his support doesn’t mean an endorsement?"

Lindgren said Chabot doesn’t plan to ask Schmidt to take his name off her site or mailing, but he also won’t object if McEwen lists Chabot as a supporter.

"Generally, Steve does not endorse in local primary elections. He believes that the voters in the district are best equipped to decide who is best to represent them," Lindgren said.

Meanwhile, Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., wasn’t as understanding.

The chairman of the House caucus on immigration reform asked Schmidt on Monday to take his name off her Web site because – contrary to her claim – he has not endorsed her either.

"We do not customarily endorse congressional candidates and we did not in this case," Tancredo spokesman Will Adams said today.

Incidentally, a group founded by Tancredo - Team America - held an event at The Celestial Steakhouse in Cincinnati last Friday with McEwen. Coincidence?

Schmidt’s site was updated Tuesday afternoon to remove Tancredo’s name.

Bennett said the Tancredo item on the Web site should have said that he "supports" Schmidt, not that he "endorses" her.