BRIDGETOWN - Commissioner hopeful Marilyn Hyland began her door-to-door Hamilton County campaign Sunday, on what she hopes is one year to the day before she enters office.

The Indian Hill Democrat vowed to knock on doors in every one of the county's 1, 082 voting precincts.

Ms. Hyland wants the seat held by Republican Bob Bedinghaus. Two years ago, she failed to unseat Republican Tom Neyer Jr.

After her walk around Sharlene Drive neighborhood in this western Hamilton County community, it was 1,081 to go.

"I think it does some good," said registered Republican Doug Schrand, 37, on whose Sharlene Drive door Ms. Hyland knocked. " Rather than see their face on TV and in these parades, its more personable. You can see their expressions. "

Ms. Hyland's key campaign issues include advocacy of light rail mass transit using existing railroad lines; using general funds rather than a levy to improve countywide radio communications; and limiting development to preserve farmland.

But she is never far from what she considers the biggest reason to bounce Mr. Bedinghaus: the Bengals stadium deal.

Key irritants are conditions embraced by the three GOP commissioners:

• Taxpayers give the Bengals $4million for each home game construction is late
• Bengals hold all concession rights
• Taxpayers guarantee seat sales

"I will call on (Bengals owner) Mike Brown to drop some of those conditions," she said while sitting in the living room of supporter Larry Clements.

As Ms. Hyland spoke the TV was tuned to the Bengal's game at Jacksonville.

She was joined on sidewalks and front porches by ten supporters, each wearing a bright red baseball cap with a big white "H" on it. Several carried a large sign heralding Ms. Hyland's candidacy.

Ms. Hyland is the lone announced Democratic candidate in a county that is dominated by elected Republicans.

The last Democratic commissioner was Vincent Beckman in 1968.

The best way to break through that, she said, is to knock on doors and explain her desire to bring the office closer to the public it serves.