U.S. SENATE Fingerhut sets sights on Voinovich's seat

The challenger says he has to make people believe he can win.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- State Sen. Eric D. Fingerhut, who is running for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate next year, says he's convinced he can overcome the odds and beat U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich.
The challenge, he says, is to convince others.
"The biggest challenge I face is crossing that threshold to convince people that I can win," Fingerhut told The Vindicator during a campaign stop at Youngstown State University on Tuesday.
Fingerhut, of Cleveland, said that during his numerous campaign stops around the state, he hears from supporters who have a defeatist attitude about his challenge to Voinovich.
"They tell me, 'It's just too bad that you can't win,'" he said. "It's a psychological barrier that I have to cross. I tell people that if you help me then I can win."
What polls show
Statewide polls show Voinovich, a former Ohio governor and Cleveland mayor serving his first term in the U.S. Senate, with a comfortable lead over Fingerhut. Also, Voinovich has a huge monetary advantage over Fingerhut. Voinovich's campaign fund has $4,086,943, while Fingerhut has $258,421 in his campaign war chest.
"One perception is I won't raise enough money," Fingerhut said. "But people should realize that this is the first time that a statewide challenger has 2,500 donors with more than a year to go before the election."
Fingerhut realizes he cannot match dollar for dollar with Voinovich -- whom he said got his money from special-interest groups and those wanting to maintain the status quo -- but says he plans to raise enough money to have an aggressive television advertising campaign.
Numerous failed Democratic statewide candidates during the past decade have been unable to raise enough money to advertise on television, seen as a vital tool in running in Ohio.
With a year to go before the election, Fingerhut has already raised almost as much money as Ted Celeste, the last Democrat to run for the U.S. Senate in 2000, did during his entire campaign. Celeste, who never ran a TV commercial, was trounced by U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, a Republican.
"The senator has always believed in careful preparation, and his strong fund-raising performance demonstrates that," said Matthew Carle, Voinovich's campaign manager. "It also reflects the strong support he has statewide."
Fingerhut said he will continue to make trips to the Mahoning Valley, one of the most Democratic regions of the state, to increase his name recognition. Fingerhut has made five campaign stops in the Valley in recent months.
"People don't know me well in this part of the state," he said. "That's why we're starting early. We'll be back here over and over again."
skolnick@vindy.com