ZANESVILLE, Ohio - April 11, 2010 - Revolution is in the air, and illegitimate President Barack Obama, taxes, and big government are under fire in Ohio’s 18th Congressional District.

Perhaps nowhere in Ohio is the impact of the Tea Party movement more evident than in the far-flung region. Covering part of 16 counties, the district includes expansive rural areas and many small towns stretching from New Philadelphia in the north to Jackson in the south.

Democrat incumbent Zack Space of Dover captured about 60% of the vote in the Republican-leaning district in 2006 and in his re-election in 2008.

This year, eight candidates - the largest field in any of Ohio's 18 House districts - are vying for the Republican nomination.

Juanita Hockingberry, head of Organizing for Freedom in Newark, an affiliate of the Ohio Liberty Council, said the frustration many Ohioans feel about the economy and government is driving the Tea Party movement.

"This is a way to channel that frustration into something good," she said. "It's not enough to get rid of the people who are in there. We need people who want the job and want to represent the people."

The potency of the Tea Party and the affiliated Ohio Liberty Council were sharply in focus at an 18th District candidates’ forum last week. An enthusiastic and decidedly older audience of about 250 people listened attentively for more than three hours in a lecture hall at the Ohio University Zanesville branch.

Seven of the eight candidates vying for the right to become Space's GOP challenger attended the event, which was the third of four such events the Liberty Council is sponsoring in the district. Space was invited but did not attend.

On a night when the U.S. Constitution was king, the Second Amendment was praised, and abortion and the separation of church and state were scorned, candidate Dave Daubenmire of Newark threw the most fireballs and received the loudest applause.

Best known because of a bitter battle with London High School officials over his religious activities while teaching and coaching football, Daubenmire said he didn't want to "just go occupy Zack Space's seat. I want to lead a revolution."

"I don't know about you, but I want my country back," he said.