Since last fall, this race has been about one thing and one thing only: Jack Abramoff. Reported for months to be in the crosshairs of federal investigators looking into the Abramoff influence-peddling probe, Rep. Bob Ney held out for as long as possible before admitting guilt to conspiracy charges and making false statements, striking a plea bargain and withdrawing his re-election bid. That was too little, too late for the GOP. State Sen. Joy Padgett won a special primary, but with all the corruption charges swirling in Ohio, Padgett has struggled to distance herself from the party's woes.