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Dems win at raising money
John Boccieri has twice as much money in his campaign fund as does his Republican opponent.
State Sen. John Boccieri enjoys a financial advantage over his Republican opponent in the open 16th Congressional District race.
Boccieri, a New Middletown Democrat, had $250,523 in his campaign account as of March 31 compared with $103,475 for state Sen. J. Kirk Schuring, a Canton Republican.
Between Feb. 14 and March 31, Boccieri raised $224,466 while Schuring received $162,743 in contributions, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Boccieri has raised more money in each reporting period than Schuring.
Overall, Boccieri has raised $692,022 to Schuring’s $490,688 between Jan. 1, 2007, and this past March 31.
The Fix, a political blog on The Washington Post’s Web site, had the 16th District as No. 3 on its list last week of seats most likely to change political party control in the U.S. House of Representatives. Retiring U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula, a Navarre Republican, has held the seat since 1973.
The district includes all of Stark and Wayne counties and portions of Medina and Ashland counties. Boccieri’s state Senate district includes a small portion of Stark. He lives in Mahoning County.
Members of Congress who represent Ohio aren’t required to live in their district. But they must live in Ohio.
For example, U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-6th, lives in St. Clairsville, which isn’t in his district.
U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, and Wilson continue to raise money for their re-election efforts while their Republican opponents, Duane V. Grassell of Mogadore and Richard Stobbs of Dillonvale, respectively, have yet to file campaign finance reports.
Candidates don’t have to file financial reports until they’ve raised or spent $5,000, according to the FEC.
Ryan raised $145,175 between Feb. 14 and March 31, and had $366,752 in his campaign fund as of that latter date. Overall, Ryan raised $954,434 for his re-election bid in November.
Wilson received $85,675 between Feb. 14 and March 31. He had $339,124 on hand as of March 31. Wilson raised $505,309 toward his re-election effort between Jan. 1, 2007, and this past March 31.
Ryan’s district includes portions of Mahoning, Trumbull, Portage and Stark counties.
Wilson’s 12-county district includes all of Columbiana County and a portion of Mahoning.
skolnick@vindy.com