Home violence report suspends campaign of Ohio candidate

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Both spouses signed domestic violence complaints.

CINCINNATI (AP) — A Democratic congressional candidate from the Dayton area suspended her campaign Monday after she and her husband were charged with domestic violence.

Stephanie Studebaker and her husband, Sam, were booked Sunday morning into the Montgomery County jail after police answered calls about a fight in their home, police said. Each was released on a $25,000 bond.

"Due to personal issues, the Studebaker for Congress campaign is suspending all campaign activities for the time being," the campaign said on its Web site Monday evening. "We will inform our supporters and the media on any future developments but request that the privacy of our campaign be respected during this time."

Dennis Lieberman, Montgomery County's Democratic Party chairman, said Studebaker suspended the campaign to "sort through her personal life" and spend time with her family.

"Obviously, it's a very terrible thing for her and her family to be going through right now," Lieberman said. "It's my hope that until this is all sorted out, that people will not rush to judgment."

He said he talked with Studebaker on Monday, but her decision on the future of her candidacy is "really entirely up to her ... when she's ready, she'll let us know."

A message was left Monday evening at Studebaker's campaign headquarters. Earlier, Will Evans, the campaign communications director, said the campaign had no comment and that she was unavailable.

Studebaker, 45, a veterinarian and a first-time political candidate, is running against two-term incumbent Republican Mike Turner in what is considered a long shot for her. The seat includes Clinton and Highland counties, most of Montgomery County and about half of Warren County.

Deputies' report

Sheriff Dave Vore said deputies responded to a report of domestic violence at the couple's home in Washington Township.

"Upon arrival, deputies observed evidence there was a physical altercation between the two subjects," Vore said.

Sam Studebaker, 39, told deputies "his wife had been beating him," and had marks on his right upper arm and right upper back, according to the incident report. His wife told deputies he had hit her, and she had marks on her right upper arm, the report says.

Both spouses signed domestic violence complaints against the other, police said. Police said neither required medical treatment.

Police received 911 calls from a man identifying himself as Sam Studebaker's father, who said his son called him and asked that he call police, and from Stephanie Studebaker, who said her husband "is shoving me around," according to recordings of the calls.

She said the couple's two children were in the house at the time.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006