In a congressional district in which three-bedroom, single-family homes are being auctioned off for as little as $1,000, the two candidates for the U.S. House square over sinking property values. And they each accuse the other of fattening his own war chest with lobbyist money as the district suffers.

Rep. Zack Space, a Democrat from Dover, and Republican candidate Fred Dailey, a former state agriculture director from Mount Vernon, laid out their plans for the housing crisis in interviews with WTOV9.COM.

BACKSTORY: Scott MacFarlane's Notebook on the 18th Congressional Race

The winner of the race faces a stiff economic challenge. A report Friday from the foreclosure survey group REALTYTRAC said home foreclosures edged up 25 percent from August 2007 to August 2008. The report said Ohio remains among hardest hit states.

Addressing Ohio's Housing Crisis

Rep. Zack Space

Rep. Zack Space, who is seeking his second term as representative for the 18th district, said he has made efforts to stop the financial bleeding in Ohio's housing market. Space told WTOV9.com he helped secure federal money for the state and its cities to buy and rehab foreclosed properties. He said he also helped rake in federal funds for new broadband development, which would help lure younger home buyers in rural counties.

WTOV9.COM EXCLUSIVE: Zack Space Talks About Lack of Broadband in Ohio Valley

Fred Dailey

Fred Dailey told WTOV9.COM he'd support stiffer rules for home mortgage lenders. Dailey said, "We had some unconscionable mortgage dealers. It's had a tremendous impact. People no longer want to buy mortgage-backed securities."

Dailey also said he'd support the elimination of the estate tax, which is a common proposal among Republican congressional candidates. Opponents of the estate tax say it penalizes survivors of family farmers and other landowners.

WTOV9.COM EXCLUSIVE: Fred Dailey Talks About Plans to Address Ohio's Foreclosure Crisis

Ohio's Economy

Dailey has accused Space of not thoroughly or effectively addressing the region's economic troubles. Space, while campaigning for office in 2006, promised efforts to help create jobs and new businesses. WTOV9.COM asked Space if he felt he'd kept his promise. (see video link below)

WTOV9.COM EXCLUSIVE: Zack Space Talks Ohio Economic Troubles During His 1st Term

Fred Dailey told WTOV9.COM the worst of the housing crisis might still lie ahead. But he forecasted a recovery before the end of next year.

WTOV9.COM EXCLUSIVE: Fred Dailey Forecasts "Gut-wrenching" Housing Troubles Ahead

Lobbyist Money

Despite the economic struggles of his district, Space has amassed a large campaign war chest. He has quickly developed the reputation for prolific fundraising. His coffers are filled with more than $1 million and place him far ahead of Dailey, who has less than $200,000 on hand.

Space told WTOV9.COM, "If you look at our contribution list, we've received thousands of contributions from people in the Ohio 18th Congressional District. I'm proud of that. A lot of them aren't for a lot of money. A lot are $5 and $10 contributions. But those are the ones that mean the most to me."

Space and Dailey are each accusing the other of being too closely association with lucrative lobbyist contributions, which is a potentially troubling charge amid Ohio's financial downturn.

LINK: Read For Yourself: Ohio 18th Fundraising - Space and Dailey List Their Donors



WTOV9.COM EXCLUSIVE: Zack Space - War Over Lobbying Money

WTOV9.COM EXCLUSIVE: Fred Dailey - War Over Lobbying Money