Hagan raises the most for race

The campaign funds of two House candidates are in the red.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- State Sen. Robert F. Hagan is the clear leader when it comes to raising money among the six Democratic candidates in the 60th Ohio House District primary.
Hagan, of Youngstown, D-33rd, raised $25,600 between Jan. 1 and April 12, according to pre-primary campaign reports filed Thursday.
Of that amount, Hagan received $5,000 from J.J. Cafaro of Liberty and $2,000 from Bruce Zoldan of Canfield, Mahoning Valley businessmen who are among the area's most prominent political donors.
Hagan also received $5,000 from Friends of Tim Hagan, the campaign fund of his brother, Tim, a Cuyahoga County commissioner.
Robert Hagan spent $7,406 during that time period with most of his purchases for campaign expenses such as travel and meal costs.
Heading into the May 2 primary, Hagan has $28,252 in his campaign fund. Hagan plans to advertise on radio but hadn't purchased air time on stations as of April 12, according to his report.
Others in race
Struthers Councilman Daniel R. Yemma, who's also seeking the House seat, raised $14,495 for his campaign between Jan. 1 and April 12. But Yemma spent more money than he had, and his campaign had a $1,981 deficit as of April 12.
Yemma spent more than $5,000 on advertising, campaign materials and media consulting as well as more than $3,000 for use of the Embassy, a Boardman restaurant, for a political fundraiser.
Youngstown Councilman Rufus Hudson, also running for the seat, raised $11,070, including $3,000 from Herb T. Washington, a local McDonald's franchisee and owner of the Youngstown SteelHounds minor league hockey team that plays its home games at the city-owned Chevrolet Centre.
Hudson's list of contributors reads like a list of city officials including Mayor Jay Williams, Finance Director David Bozanich, Chief of Staff/Secretary Jason Whitehead, Law Director Iris Torres Guglucello, Judge Robert Douglas, council President Charles Sammarone, and council members Richard Atkinson and Carol Rimedio-Righetti.
Richard A. Gozur of Campbell raised $2,400, and spent more than that, leaving his campaign with a $1,108 deficit as of April 12.
Michael Latessa of Youngstown raised less than $1,000 between Jan. 1 and April 12, and has $470 left in his campaign account.
Ian Stublarec of Youngstown didn't file a report. Candidates who didn't raise or spend at least $1,000 aren't required to file reports.
No Republican filed to run for this House seat.
Mahoning commissioner
In the Democratic race for Mahoning County commissioner, incumbent David Ludt of Poland raised $14,000 and lent $3,250 to his campaign between Jan. 1 and April 12.
In comparison, ex-Youngstown Mayor George M. McKelvey, his Democratic primary opponent, raised $2,000 and lent $10,000 to his campaign.
There is no Republican seeking the commissioner's seat.
skolnick@vindy.com