NEW YORK—The state of Ohio may have turned from red to blue and carried Sen. Barack Obama to the White House but supporters of Republican State Sen. Steve Austria delivered and made him one of the newest members of the U.S. House of Representatives. A recent Voice of Fil-America feature, Austria won Ohio’s 7th District against Democratic candidate Sharen Neuhardt.

"I’m ready to go to Washington, roll up my sleeves and get to work," Austria told the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. "I am honored to be chosen by the voters of the 7th District and from Fairfield County in particular."

Austria, a state senator from Beavercreek, received 58% of the vote. He now becomes the second American man with Filipino heritage elected to the US Congress, following the steps of Virginia’s Rep. Robert Cortez Scott.

Austria will succeed his mentor, fellow Republican Dave Hobson, who has represented the district since 1991. Rep. Hobson, who also endorsed Austria, announced his retirement in October 2007. Austria also received the endorsements of the US Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio Farm Bureau and the Ohio State Medical Association.

In an earlier statement released to the media, Congressman-elect Austria said that he would focus on the economy.

"Our economy is the number one issue we are faced with today. We must invest in our economy to ensure businesses grow and create jobs. That is why I have supported lowering gas prices through a comprehensive energy plan that includes drilling for American oil as well as making the temporary tax cuts permanent. Our economy is suffering from high gas prices and high energy costs and we cannot afford the tax increases the Democrat Congress and my opponent have proposed."

Ohio’s 7th District is in the state’s south-central area and includes the city of Springfield, some of the southern suburbs of Columbus and other neighboring counties. The district is 89% white, 7% black, 1% Hispanic and 1% Asian.

Both presidential candidates spent much of their time in the battleground state of Ohio, trying to win the votes. No Republican has ever won the White House without carrying Ohio. Only two Democrats have done so. The state has voted for the winning candidate in every election since 1964. Independents, moderates and women in Ohio all threw their support behind Obama. The Democrat won across all age groups except those 65 and older, according to exit polls for The Associated Press and television networks.

Austria was born in Cincinnati and grew up in Xenia as the oldest of nine children. He has lived in Beavercreek for the past 20 years with his wife Eileen, and their three sons Brian, Kevin and Eric. Austria coached all three of his sons in basketball, soccer and baseball and has been part of the annual Dr. Clement G. Austria Senior Citizen Christmas Party, which was named after his father who organized the event 30 years ago, before he passed away.

Dr. Clement G. Austria, was a "guerrilla under (American) Gen. Douglas MacArthur while studying medicine at the University of Santo Tomas," that was turned into prison camp by Japanese Invading Forces during World War II, according to a previous Asian Journal article. The elder Austria was born in Tiaong, Quezon and came to the United States to attend medical school. An active community leader, Dr. Austria died at the age of 62 in November 1986 (AJPress/Momar G. Visaya).