Reps. Matthew J. Dolan of Novelty and William G. Batchelder of Medina are each wooing current and possible future Republican lawmakers to back his bid to take over in 2009 from House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, who will reach his term limits. The coveted slot is one of the most powerful in state government.

Based on several factors, including strong fundraising and his overwhelming selection to take charge of the House Republican's campaign fund, Dolan has been considered the front-runner.

But Batchelder, a respected 32-year legislative veteran, has repeatedly said that while Dolan has the support of most current legislators, several new members will join the caucus next year. Now, less than three weeks before the election, Batchelder sounds confident he will win the leadership.

Asked whether the leadership race will come down to whether certain Republicans win, Batchelder replied, "At this point, it doesn't make any difference. We have more votes than they have."

Batchelder said Dolan's team is surprised to find out how many people are on board with him.

"Frankly, their reaction to some of those situations hasn't been exactly helpful to their cause. When you scream at somebody, chances are they don't look on you as potential leadership material."

Talk of a heated leadership fight is about the last thing Republicans want to hear 18 days before an election where the atmosphere already favors Democrats, who need a four-seat gain to win the majority.

"I'm very comfortable with where the votes are," Dolan said. "The only vote this caucus has had was overwhelmingly voting for me to lead and accept the responsibility to keep us in the majority."

There has been some tension, including an unpleasant recent conversation between Rep. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, and GOP candidate Kris Jordan, a Batchelder supporter running in Delaware County. Hottinger said the candidate promised to provide the caucus $150,000, but then didn't return calls, and later offered only $5,000.

"Sometimes somebody has to kick people in the butt to keep us in the majority," Hottinger said. "If some people think I'm a jerk, but we're still in the majority, I can live with that."

Jordan responded: "There was never any discussion of $150,000 with leadership, with him or anyone in the caucus.

"I don't want to get into all the details of the call. I don't want to slam other officeholders."

Hottinger called Batchelder's claim of majority support "totally inaccurate." He said Batchelder has picked up some backing from Republicans in safe districts, while Dolan's team is "concentrating on raising money and winning the tough races."

Batchelder said running the campaign committee has been a mixed bag for Dolan's effort to build support.

"In the sting of battle out there, (candidates) get upset," Batchelder said. "The representation of fundraising capacity has been made, so if that ain't true, that becomes something that some people are going to feel they were misled on."

He also questions the promises being made.

"If you make a bunch of commitments to people on important committees and then have people running around talking about it, that drives people to the other side who are interested in doing the same thing," Batchelder said. "That has been helpful on occasion too."

Dolan said he is satisfied with the caucus' fundraising, and he denies promising any future assignments to anyone.

"This is unfortunate that 18 days prior to an election that one of our members tries to go this route," he said.

jsiegel@dispatch.com