The campaign of state Sen. Steve Austria (R-Beavercreek) is saying that the Emericency Economic Stabilization Act passed by Congress has not worked, and is hitting opponenent attorney Sharen Neuhardt (D-Yellow Springs) for applauding its passage. 

The Austria camp says that the "bailout" legisilation "has had huge problems from start to finish." 

"The bill was drafted behind closed doors and without regard for its long term effects," the Austria camp wrote in a release. "In addition, the amount of the bailout was set arbitrarily without a process for determining who would be bailed out."

The Austria camp criticized the legislation for rewarding "the very people whose lack of oversight put us in this position." The camp wrote that to date, "the bailout has done nothing to turn around the economy and has been financed on the backs of the American taxpayer."

The Austria camp says that Neuhardt has "decided to align herself with [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi and the tax and spend liberals in Congress in support of this faulty legislation."

The Austria camp said that it appears that Pelosi will be making decisions now for this first time candidate.

"We need someone with the experience and guts to disagree with his own party in order to protect his constituents," said Austria manager Brad Mascho. "Steve Austria will use common sense when he gets to Washington to help make his decisions - not Nancy Pelosi or the latest poll numbers.  Unlike his opponent, Senator Austria has opposed this bail out of Wall Street fat cats since it was first created in secret."

Austria pointed to Neuhardt saying, "I applaud the Senate for passing an economic rescue plan intended to save our credit markets, small businesses, and working families."

Austria and Neuhardt are vying to replace retiring U.S. Rep. David Hobson (R-Springfield) in Ohio's 7th.

Hobson voted in favor of the legislation each time it came before the House.

Austria is Hobson's chosen successor.

The Neuhardt campaign responded by saying Austria is playing Monday morning quarterback.