WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Amid all of the noise and theatrics of Ohio's upcoming presidential primary, a key - and possibly very close - local Congressional race is at risk of being largely ignored.

On March 4th, local Republicans will choose their candidate for Ohio's 18th Congressional race. The GOP lost hold of the traditionally Republican seat in 2006, after incumbent Rep. Robert Ney resigned and pleaded guilty to a felony charge, in connection with a Washington lobbying scandal. Democrat Zack Space, a former city attorney in Dover, won the seat in the wake of the Ney scandal. Space has become a prime Republican target ever since. Recently called "ruby Republican red" by a national Republican party leader, the Ohio 18th district voted overwhelmingly (57 percent) for George W. Bush for president in 2004.

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But so far, no one stands out as a clear frontrunner to challenge Space. Four of the Republican primary candidates on the March ballot include Newark businessman Beau Bromberg, Zanesville attorney Jeanette Moll, Chillicothe attorney Paul Phillips, and former Ohio Commissioner of Agriculture Fred Dailey. None has raised nearly as much money as Space. The four candidates, combined, had $114,057 on hand as of January 1st. Space reported having $755,810.

Space has benefited from added attention and resources from the national Democratic party offices. Unlike most other Democratic members of Congress, Space is not required to pay party dues. He's considered a member of the Democrats' "Frontline" group, which includes members of Congress deemed to be in politically unsafe seats.

A source inside the Space campaign told wtov9.com the campaign has received contributions from 1,400 individual donors. The source said the early fundraising totals are a important indication of how much attention is being paid to the Ohio 18th District race. The source said, "Fundraising is always a challenge here. It's a very poor district. But we're getting 50-50 support from individual donors and Political Action Committees." Space also benefited from a high profile fundraiser at the Columbus Athletic Club last week with Gov. Ted Strickland.

Julie Shutley, spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, told wtov9.com, "The fact that there are several GOP candidates interested in this seat is further evidence that Ohio's 18th District's is a Republican district and that Zack Space is an extremely vulnerable member."

One Democrat, Mark Pitrrone, is challenging Space for the Democratic nomination. Pittrone has reported raising no money for his campaign.