Another Catholic in Congress

From the AP:

Schmidt Wins 2nd District Special Election

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Republican Jean Schmidt held off an unexpectedly tough challenge from Democrat Paul Hackett to win Tuesday's Second Congressional District special election.

With all precincts reporting unofficial returns, Schmidt won with 52 percent of the vote.

Schmidt is the first female to be elected from the Second District.

The campaign to replace Congressman Rob Portman has drawn national attention largely because of Hackett's Iraq war service and his criticism of President Bush.

Portman left the House when he was named US trade representative.

Schmidt is a faithful Catholic and a welcome addition to the U.S. House of Representatives. She will soon be added to the Catholics in Congress project which surveys and tracks the votes and other acts of the now 132 Catholics in the House of Representatives and the 24 Catholics in the Senate. The survey looks at votes and other actions which deal with six non-negotiable issues for Catholics.