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Which Ohio politicians have received the most money this year?

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By Laura A. Bischoff, Staff Writer 9:34 PM Friday, July 31, 2009

COLUMBUS — Fundraisers, phone calls, well-placed connections and ideological generosity brought out more than $11 million in campaign giving during the last six months.

Candidates, parties and legislative caucuses reported their fund-raising activities Friday, July 31. The reports give a glimpse at who is ahead and who still needs to shake the money tree to be a contender in the 2010 statewide races.

Here is a look at the match-ups from a fund-raising point of view:

Governor

Democrat incumbent Gov. Ted Strickland raised $2.5 million and sits on $4 million in cash. Republican John Kasich, a former congressman and FoxNews commentator, reported raising $516,309 with $451,293 on hand. Key fact: Strickland’s average contribution was $900.

Attorney General

Democrat Richard Cordray reported raising $1 million and has $2 million on hand. Former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, a Republican who announced his campaign last week, raised $39,500 while his primary opponent Delaware County Prosecutor David Yost raised $42,727 and has $30,123 on hand. Key fact: Cordray won a special election in November to become attorney general.

Secretary of State

State Sen. Jon Husted, R-Kettering, raised $1.2 million and has $1.26 million on hand for his first bid for statewide office. His primary opponent, Sandra O’Brien, who pulled an upset victory over incumbent state treasurer Jennette Bradley in 2006, raised $310. Democrat Marilyn Brown, a Franklin County commissioner, raised $204,000 and has $181,408 on hand. Key fact: This is an open seat since Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is running for the U.S. Senate.

Auditor

Auditor Mary Taylor, a Republican, raised $107,900 and has $144,281 on hand while her Democratic opponent, David Pepper, reported raising $317,488 with $268,390 on hand. Key fact: The auditor sits on the Apportionment Board, which re-draws legislative district lines after the U.S. Census.

Treasurer

Democrat Kevin Boyce, who was appointed treasurer in January, raised $511,031 and has $486,278 while Republican state Rep. Josh Mandel of Lyndhurst said he raised $1 million and has $1.3 million on hand. Key fact: The Ohio Democratic Party boosted Boyce’s campaign account with $225,000 in contributions in late July while Mandel did not receive cash from the state GOP.

Democrats vs. Republicans

The Ohio Democratic Party raised $2.4 million between two main accounts. Key fact: more than $1 million came from unions.

The Ohio Republican Party raised $818,205. Key fact: American Financial Equipment Inc Chairman Carl Lindner of Cincinnati donated $100,000.

Ohio House

The Democratic caucus said it raised $2,241,043 and had $2,057,656 on hand while the GOP caucus raised $1,007,000 and had $901,700 on hand. Key fact: Democrats hold a four-seat majority in the House.

Ohio Senate

The Republican caucus raised $1,872,686 and has $1,801,848 on hand. The Democrats raised $227,581 and have $230,782 on hand. Key fact: the GOP controls 21 of 33 seats.

Staff Writer William Hershey contributed to this report.

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Maybe not extortion or blackmail - but as a member of a union I do feel I’m being held hostage because I have no choice where those funds go!

Driving Blind
1:34 PM, 8/2/2009

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Nobody's talking about the BIG BUCKS that go into the AG's Special Counsel lawyers. They can browse probate estates as well as get added info, pressure and bucks for their state of Ohio CONTRACTS. These parasites are a hidden second tax on honest taxpayers (who do you think pays them?). Then they turn and prey upon us again in the PROBATE CT.

boynamedsued
9:04 PM, 8/1/2009

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Key Fact: Union member are forced to pay "Union dues". They are denied the right to choice where those funds go. Extortion or blackmail, you choose.

BGreen
4:12 PM, 8/1/2009

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Another “Key Fact” that you conveniently missed: Until the last few elections unions were giving to the Republican party. During the Reagan Revolution Unions supported Republicans all day-everyday. Until they switched their allegiance no one was complaining about who money was donated to. As with most things--it is fine as long as the supposed offense benefits your particular cause. That’s called hypocrisy!

dhampton100
9:43 AM, 8/1/2009

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Key FACT Carl Linder gave his money voluntarily, the Unions take their money and give it to whom they desire, usally against 40% of the union members choice. you can bet if unions gave that heavy to Republicans, the dems would outlaw unions contibuting.to political races, why not let union members choose where they want the money to go...

Philman
7:52 AM, 8/1/2009

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