U.S. Rep. Rob Portman, scrupulously neutral during the GOP primary race for the 3rd Congressional District, is wasting no time in throwing his considerable political weight behind victor Mike Turner.

        Mr. Portman — whose 2nd District splits Warren County with the 3rd under Ohio's redistricting plan — is hosting Mr. Turner's first post-primary fund-raiser Saturday.

        It'll be at Lebanon's Golden Lamb. The restaurant at Ohio's oldest inn was refurbished by Mr. Portman's grandparents, Bob and Ginny Jones, in the 1930s.

        The invitation-only event, also hosted by the county party, is $50 a plate. Special guest — if House Republican leadership chairman Portman isn't special enough — will be White House political director Ken Mehlman, according to the Portman camp.

        Mr. Turner squashed millionaire publisher Roy Brown in last week's GOP primary. He now takes on Democrat Rick Carne, chief of staff to retiring 3rd District Rep. Tony Hall.

        Post-primary math: The breakdown of last week's GOP vote for Warren County commissioner indicates Mike Kilburn's strongest support is in the north.

        Mr. Kilburn easily dispatched Lebanon political novice Daryl Dunn with 63 percent of the vote — 7,297 to 4,284 — according to unofficial results from the county Board of Elections.

        The race was tightest in central Warren County, with Mr. Kilburn taking just 52.5 percent of the vote in Lebanon.

        Surrounding Turtlecreek Township — which Mr. Kilburn opposes as the site for a relocated Middletown Regional Hospital — also was below his countywide percentage. About 57 percent of Turtlecreek voters supported the 20-year incumbent.

        In Deerfield Township 55 percent of county Republicans went with Mr. Kilburn.

        He compensated by taking at least 70 percent of the vote in a half dozen other communities, including Franklin and Springboro in northwestern Warren. Mr. Kilburn's biggest supporters were Massie Township at 77 percent and Union Township at 76 percent.

        Meanwhile, Mr. Kilburn took 66 percent of the vote in his own community of Salem Township.

        A four-vote victory?: Turtlecreek Township Trustee Dan George proudly reports that he's about to take on a second elective office, thanks to Mom.

        The Warren County Board of Elections has not yet certified the May 7 election results, but Mr. George appears to have been elected Republican chairman for precinct 109 with four write-in votes. His backers: himself, his mom, his wife and another relative. For Mr. George, it's the first step toward his loftier goal of someday being a delegate to the Republican National Convention.

        Tips and comments on suburban politics may be relayed to reporter Cindi Andrews via phone, 755-4157, or e-mail, candrews@enquirer.com.

Archbishop expresses his distress
Census shows SE Indiana perked up by prosperity
'Star Wars' launches at 12:01 a.m.
Local program employs youths for summer jobs
Luken fears tax may spook Convergys
Men still missing after second day of river search
Obituary: Richard J. Schilling owned Beverly Hills
Pilot license suspended in sinking of towboat
Presbyterians vote to study gay issue
Time Warner stops charging franchise fee
Tristate A.M. Report
AMOS: Bad timing
BRONSON: Roach forum
HOWARD: Some Good News
KORTE: City Hall
Cinergy grants aid area schools
Conese denies threatening board member
Lebanon adds to downtown
Lebanon annexation bid gets nod
Middfest shines spotlight
Planners scale down I-75 mall
Policeman dodges bullets
Portman taking sides now that primary's over
Principal selected for Mason High School
West Chester TV expands programs
5-4 ruling shows rift on court
Convention center tax advances
New game will face updated Powerball
Traficant to play tapes for committee
Edgewood chooses police chief
Kentucky News Briefs
Many tax refund notices undelivered
Power plant conditions set
Protesters air gripes at finance firm's meeting
State works to fix deficit