PX: Aftab Pureval considers run for Congress. Could Dem star beat Steve Chabot?

Washington Democrats could be close to landing their big-time candidate to take on Congressman Steve Chabot this fall.

Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Aftab Pureval is giving serious consideration to challenging Westwood's Chabot in the 1st Congressional District, Politics Extra has learned.

A spokeswoman for Pureval's campaign confirmed he is being recruited, but declined further comment.

"I think he's our strongest candidate," Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said. "He's the right kind of moderate that I think fits the district and can help move the political center of gravity back to the middle from its right-wing trajectory in Washington."

Pureval was in Washington last week to meet with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which so far has struck out in its aggressive months-long effort to find someone to run in the red-leaning district. The DCCC began courting Pureval last spring, just months after he started his first job in public office.

Washington Democrats also have recruited Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld and Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune, but both have taken a pass. State Rep. Alicia Reece has considered a run against Chabot, who is seeking a 12th term.

More: Who is Aftab Pureval? Fast-rising star, Dems say

If Pureval runs, he would first have a potentially competitive primary. Rabbi Robert Barr turned some heads this week when he announced he's raised more than $230,000, big money in his first political campaign.

In response to the possibility of Pureval jumping into the race, Chabot campaign spokesman Jamie Schwartz said: "Steve Chabot is focused on representing the constituents of the 1st District and doesn't have time to worry about the Democratic primary right now."

Many Democrats have tried to take out Chabot over two decades – and only one has succeeded. Steve Driehaus defeated the fellow West Sider in 2008, but Chabot grabbed the seat back two years later. No one has come close to beating Chabot since.

It also would be a tall order for Pureval, but few people thought he could beat a big-name Republican West Sider in his rookie campaign two years ago. The former Procter & Gamble attorney burst onto the political scene in 2016, and then impressed political watchers from here to Washington by defeating incumbent Tracy Winkler – one of the biggest names in Greater Cincinnati politics.

More: What's on the 2018 ballot?

Pureval, 35, quickly established himself as a tireless campaigner and deft fundraiser. His victory has helped him gain instant credibility as a rising star in the Democratic Party. He has been mentioned as a potential future candidate for Hamilton County prosecutor and Ohio attorney general.

The Dems' bench isn't deep, and the party has pursued Pureval to run for a higher office. He's helped himself by living up to his campaign promises by streamlining spending at the clerk's office and making it more customer-friendly.

Could Pureval do what Cranley (twice), Roxanne Qualls, David Mann, Greg Harris (twice) and others haven't been able to do and beat Chabot?

Democrats have seen a slight crack in the door since Indian Hill's Michele Young came within 18 points of Chabot in 2016. It was the closest any Democrat came to winning a Republican-controlled Congressional seat in Ohio that year.

It's difficult seeing any Democrat winning the district as long as the lines are drawn to include the West Side of Hamilton County and all of Warren County. But this could be a wave year for Democrats, and they believe Chabot is ripe for defeat.

In recent days, Pureval has met with several top Democratic leaders to receive advice on whether he should run for Congress. It could at least help him gain name ID and more campaign experience.

State Treasurer candidate Rob Richardson Jr., Warren County Democratic Party Chairwoman Bethe Goldenfield, Cranley and Driehaus are among Greater Cincinnati leaders who have talked to Pureval about running.

"I've been trying to recruit him for several months, and I feel like Aftab is the right candidate for the right time," Goldenfield said. "It's going to take somebody with a little more name recognition, and a very charismatic, appealing candidate. I'm not saying the others aren't, but I believe Aftab is more so."

One potential issue for Pureval: He doesn't currently live in the district and never has. It's not a requirement to run for Congress. But Pureval, who grew up in suburban Dayton, currently lives in Hyde Park. That could be politically problematic. West Siders generally are known to be parochial, and Chabot is a political beast who would exploit that Pureval lives on the East Side.

In fact, Chabot has a playbook for it already. In 1996, Chabot used the residence issue against Democratic challenger Mark Longabaugh. Earlier that year, Longabaugh had moved his family from Hyde Park to his native West Price Hill. Chabot won re-election by 11 points.

Coincidentally, Longabaugh is now a Washington, D.C.-based political consultant who has done work for Pureval. Maybe Longabaugh will have some insight to help Pureval overcome this potential obstacle.

Politics Extra is a column looking inside Greater Cincinnati and Ohio politics. Follow Enquirer political columnist Jason Williams on Twitter @jwilliamscincy and send email to jwilliams@enquirer.com.