The campaign of Dr. Victoria Wulsin (D-Indian Hill) is claiming that the National Republican Congressional Committee's criticism of her in a new TV ad would be more appropriate for U.S. Sen. George Voinovich (R) and Scioto County Republicans.

In a new ad, the NRCC says Wulsin wants to raise property and income taxes, attributing the claim to quotes from Wulsin in the Portsmouth Daily Times for relating her support of the Portsmouth City Center and Justice Center redevelopment initiative.

The Wulsin campaign is pointing out that the project is endorsed by the Scioto County Republican Party as well as Voinovich. The Wulsin camp also cites a letter from Republican Portsmouth City Auditor M. Trent Williams to the Portsmouth City Council on Oct. 13 that says if voters approve the project on Nov. 4, "there will be no increased tax above the most recently budgeted level."

"The NRCC must be desperate if they are willing to criticize the Scioto Republican Party, Portsmouth's Republican City Auditor and Senator George Voinovich, just to make a false attack on Vic Wulsin," said Wulsin spokesman Kevin Franck. "The truth is Jean Schmidt is the only candidate in this race who has ever raised taxes on Ohio families."

Wulsin is challenging U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) for Ohio's 2nd Congressional District, along with businessman David Krikorian (I-Madeira). The Wulsin camp says the City Center and Justice Center project has been endorsed by a diverse group of organizations and public figures, including the Shawnee District Labor Council, Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Portsmouth Area Arts Council.

The Wulsin campaign also said that a spokesman for Voinovich told the Portsmouth Daily Times that the Senator will work to find federal money to support the project.

Voinovich's office said that the Portsmouth story was incorrect. Voinovich spokesperson Chris Paulitz said that their staffer never said Voinovich was looking for funding.

"He has never and will not be taking a position on the issue," Paulitz zaid. "It's a local issue that's up to the locals to decide."

"If the Scioto Republicans, the Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce, Senator Voinovich and so many others support this important project, the real question is where has Jean Schmidt been?" Franck asked.