Aftab Pureval to challenge U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot in congressional race

It's official: Democrat Aftab Pureval will challenge Republican incumbent Steve Chabot in Ohio's 1st Congressional district.

The 35-year-old Hamilton County clerk of courts on Wednesday morning came into a packed room to loud cheers as he slapped high-fives with supporters before saying: "This is the worst kept secret in Cincinnati."

Shortly after his opening remarks from a stage at Gabriel's Place in North Avondale, Pureval went right to attacking Chabot – setting up what political insiders believe will be one the key congressional races to watch nationwide.

More: PX: Could Aftab Pureval upset Congressman Steve Chabot? See why it's possible

Pureval, just a year into his first term as clerk of courts, hammered Chabot for aligning himself with President Donald Trump's agenda. In particular, Pureval attacked Chabot on his opposition to Obamacare, and lack of public appearances during Congress' failed attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

"I will always stand with the people who are marginalized," Pureval said.

He added: "You will see me in the communities and town halls, because unlike Steve Chabot, I will never be afraid to face my constituents."

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Chabot's campaign fired right back, pointing out Pureval's lack of public office experience and portraying him as a carpetbagger. Chabot campaign spokesman Cody Rizzuto said in a statement:

"Aftab's candidacy is a nearly flawless combination of arrogance, inexperience and political opportunism. Aftab isn’t from Cincinnati or Warren County, and he doesn’t live in the district. He’s also probably the most pro-abortion candidate to ever run for this seat. With no knowledge or understanding of the people in the district, Aftab mistakingly thinks he can sell Nancy Pelosi’s liberal agenda to the voters—but they won’t buy it. "As an aside, when Aftab took over the Clerk’s office he implemented a rule prohibiting participating in campaign activities during the work day. And yet here he is at 10 a.m. on a Wednesday announcing a run for Congress. Aftab can’t even follow his own rules. "On the very day he announced he was running he lied about something as basic as where he lives. His website claims he lives downtown, but in reality he lives in a $400,000 mansion in Hyde Park, which isn’t even in the district. Perhaps he needs an escort to show him around town."

Pureval said he "recently" moved downtown when a reporter asked him when he specifically changed residences. A Congressional candidate is not required to live in the district.

Pureval, whose announcement comes a week before the Feb. 7 filing deadline, has been courted by Washington Democrats since last spring.

Chabot is seeking a 12th term in a district where the boundaries are drawn to heavily favor Republicans. The district covers the West Side of Hamilton County and all of Warren County. First elected in 1994, Chabot chairs the House Small Business Committee.