Ohio House speaker raises big campaign money in 2019, reports show

Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder raised $1.4 million in campaign cash in the first six months of 2019 — more than what the governor and four statewide elected officers raised combined.

Money flowed into Householder’s campaign coffers from labor unions, nursing home operators, lobbyists, utilities and others, according to reports filed Wednesday at the Ohio Secretary of State.

The House Republican Campaign Committee received just more than $41,000. Householder said he plans to use his campaign cash to elect Republicans to the Ohio House.

Related: Larry Householder elected Ohio House speaker — again

Gov. Mike DeWine raised almost $300,000 in cash, received $742,000 in in-kind support from the Ohio Republican Party and has nearly $440,000 in cash on hand. His report still shows a $4-million debt from personal loans he made to his campaign.

Related: DeWine signs state budget, vetoes 25 items

* Secretary of State Frank LaRose also raised almost $300,000, received $41,000 in in-kind support and has a cash balance of $246,458.

* Attorney General Dave Yost raised a little over $183,000, received nearly $102,000 in in-kind support and has $233,392 in cash on hand.

* Treasurer Robert Sprague raised nearly $113,000, received nearly $29,000 in in-kind support and has just over $101,000 in cash. He also reported a campaign debt of $50,000.

* Auditor Keith Faber reported the lowest fundraising numbers among the five statewide officeholders,: $37,475 raised and $30,640 in in-kind support. The Celina Republican has $101,189 in cash on hand.

While the House Republican Campaign Committee fundraising was light, the House Democratic caucus pulled in $487,000. The Senate Democratic caucus raised $205,000 while the Senate Republican caucus raised $1.38 million in the first six months of the year.

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