Strickland increases lead in campaign funds

The Democratic attorney general candidate lags behind his GOP opponent.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The financial lead U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, enjoys over his Republican opponent, Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, continues to grow.
In August, Strickland, of Lisbon, raised $2,325,829 compared to $1,612,581 for Blackwell, of Cincinnati.
Through Aug. 31, Strickland has raised $11.2 million compared to about $10 million for Blackwell.
The money raised between the two breaks the former Ohio gubernatorial money record of $18 million set in 1998 by Gov. Bob Taft, a Republican, and Democrat Lee Fisher, Strickland's running mate this year.
There are still two months left before the Nov. 7 election.
Reports filed
Statewide candidates had to file campaign finance reports Wednesday detailing their contributions for August. But state law doesn't require them to disclose how much they spent during the month.
The campaigns also will have to file monthly reports on their contributions for September, and already did so for June and July.
The statewide candidates don't have to disclose their expenditures until Oct. 26 when they file pre-general campaign finance reports for the period between June 3 and Oct. 18.
Without disclosing expenditures for June, July and August, Strickland's campaign reported having $7,466,807 in its fund as of Aug. 31.
Blackwell's campaign reported having $4,927,691 in its fund as of Aug. 31.
Polls show Strickland with a lead of as much as 25 percent over Blackwell.
Attorney general race
State Sen. Marc Dann of Liberty, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, continues to significantly lag behind the Republican nominee for the job, Ohio Auditor Betty Montgomery of Perrysburg.
Dann raised $209,170 in August compared to $470,778 for Montgomery.
Dann has raised about $1.26 million for his campaign compared to about $4.4 million for Montgomery.
Not counting expenses for the past three months, Dann has $685,436 in his fund compared to $2,758,548 for Montgomery.
skolnick@vindy.com