Ohio U.S. House seats move to left

CINCINNATI, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, moved ahead of challenger Steve Driehaus to develop a comfortable lead early Wednesday while Democrats led other Ohio races.

With 75 percent of votes counted, Chabot led his Democratic challenger 54 percent to 46 percent. The incumbent trailed the Ohio House of Representatives Minority Whip in early returns.

Elsewhere in the Buckeye state, Democrats led in races for two open House seats being vacated by retiring Republican U.S. Reps. Deborah Pryce and Ralph Regula.

For Pryce's seat, Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy was ahead of state Sen. Steve Stivers, 47 percent to 44 percent, with 90 percent of the vote counted.

For Regula's seat, Democratic state Sen. John Boccieri led Republican state Sen. Kirk Schuring, 54 percent to 46 percent, with 75 percent of the vote counted. Republicans currently hold an 11-7 majority of Ohio congressional seats.