In a somewhat unexpected move, EMILY’S List last week endorsed Democratic nominee Robin Weirauch in the Dec. 11 special election to replace the late Rep. Paul Gillmor (R). Despite winning the GOP nomination last month in one of the most negative elections the district has ever seen, state Rep. Bob Latta (R) is favored to win the seat.

But while the district is considered safe for Republicans, some Democrats believe it could swing in their direction in a special election and in an inexpensive media market.

EMILY’s List Political Director Jonathan Parker said Weirauch is the “perfect candidate to bring a breath of fresh air” to the district.

“I think given the fact that this is a special election, the electorate is going to be very fluid, that given recent trends in this district and given the fact that this is an outsider-versus-an-insider campaign and Robin Weirauch will bring a breath of fresh air and voters see that,” Parker said. “That’s why we think she’s an attractive candidate and we think we’ve got a shot.”

President Bush won the district in 2004 with 61 percent. However, Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) won it in 2006.

Weirauch was the Democratic nominee in both 2004 and 2006. Latta ran in the race to replace his father in 1988, losing the primary by just 28 votes to Gillmor.

— Shira Toeplitz