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Ryan, Wilson and LaTourette have funds, trend on their side
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If money plays a big factor in congressional races — and historically it has — the incumbent U.S. House members who represent the Mahoning Valley have little to worry about.
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, a three-term incumbent, is facing Republican Duane Grassell of Mogadore, an Akron school district math teacher and department chairman.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson of St. Clairsville, D-6th, seeking his second term in the House, has two opponents: Republican Richard Stobbs of Colerain, a Franklin County deputy recorder; and Dennis Spisak of Struthers, a Green Party candidate.
Spisak, a Struthers school board member, lost his administration job with the Brookfield School District.
U.S. Rep. Steven LaTourette of Bainbridge Township, R-14th, a seven-term incumbent, is being challenged by Bill O’Neill, a registered nurse who resigned as a justice on the 11th District Court of Appeals to run for Congress.
Ryan has raised $1.24 million for his campaign and had close to $365,000 in his campaign fund as of Sept. 30.
Grassell, who lost a school board race in 2003 in Mogadore, hasn’t raised $5,000.
Candidates who fail to raise $5,000 don’t have to file reports with the Federal Election Commission.
Wilson raised more than $730,000 and had about $300,000 in his campaign fund as of Sept. 30.
Stobbs, who finished last in the 2006 Republican primary for the congressional district seat, ran unopposed in his party’s primary this year.
Like Grassell, Stobbs and Spisak haven’t filed campaign finance reports with the FEC because neither has met the $5,000 threshold.
O’Neill has raised close to $500,000 for his campaign, and had $55,175 in his campaign fund as of Sept. 30. O’Neill says he needs $750,000 to run an “effective” campaign.
In comparison, LaTourette has raised more than $1.35 million and had almost $900,000 sitting in his fund as of the end of last month.
While O’Neill served 10 years on the court of appeals, he’s lost six other elections, including the Ohio Supreme Court in 2004 and 2006.
Ryan, a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee since 2007, said his top priority is to provide government assistance and funding to worthwhile projects in his district. The district includes portions of Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
“I’m trying to create Youngstown State University as a hub for alternative energy and party local businesses with the university,” Ryan said.
Grassell wants major cuts in federal spending, reduce the reliance on foreign oil and reduce federal regulations on businesses.
Wilson, whose 12-county district includes all of Columbiana and a portion of Mahoning, said job creation is his priority.
Wilson and Ryan are working closely with Baard Energy to build a coal-to-liquid energy plant in Wellsville.
“New jobs and opportunities will help turn around this economy,” Wilson said.
Spisak opposes the Baard project, saying it will create pollution. He wants to bring renewable solar and wind energy manufacturing jobs to the district.
Stobbs supports the Baard project.
Stobbs wants to organize top officials in the 6th District into a “job action team” that would promote the area to businesses looking for locations.
The race between LaTourette and O’Neill is the most contentious of the three.
O’Neill said LaTourette has “his hand in the cookie jar” by taking more than $1 million from banking, insurance and real estate industry donors while he sits on the House Financial Services Committee.
LaTourette said there are plenty of Democrats who’ve received more campaign donations from those industries than the amount he’s been given.
“I resent my opponent saying this,” LaTourette said. “It’s a cheap argument to say someone’s vote is bought. I’ve never voted for a bill because of a campaign contribution.”
If re-elected, LaTourette said he wants to create jobs by rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure and through the creation of green manufacturing facilities.
O’Neill said the nation must stop entering into trade agreements and end subsidies to big oil.
The 14th District includes seven northern townships in Trumbull County.
skolnick@vindy.com