Fund-raising data for Ohio suggest topsy-turvy 2010

COLUMBUS (AP) — Gov. Ted Strickland held strong in early fundraising for his re-election bid, but financial reports filed Friday signaled several other statewide seats may be vulnerable to a party switch.

Strickland reported raising almost $2.5 million during the first half of 2009, nearly five times the $516,000 raised by Republican rival John Kasich, a former congressman and conservative commentator.

The governor’s campaign fund stands at more than $4 million, despite a decline in approval ratings as he exited a painful budget process.

Kasich reported having $451,000 in the bank. His campaign noted he only officially entered the race June 1, and Friday’s total represents just a month of fundraising.

Another expected Republican heavyweight, former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, turned in weak early totals — $39,500 for the period in his bid for attorney general. But DeWine only officially entered the race July 22, after the reporting period had ended. His rival for the Republican nomination, Delaware County prosecutor David Yost, reported about $43,000 in fundraising.

DeWine and Yost are vying to unseat Democratic Attorney General Richard Cordray, who raised more than $1 million during the period and has more than $2 million in the bank.

Meanwhile, early fund-raising donations to state Sen. Jon Husted, the former Republican House speaker, surpassed his opponent’s in the secretary of state’s race. Husted outraised Franklin County Commissioner Marilyn Brown, a Democrat, nearly 10-to-1.

He reported raising more than $804,000 during the reporting period, giving him more than $1.2 million in the bank. Brown raised about $154,000 and has $181,000 on hand.

Husted and Brown are vying for the seat being vacated by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat. Brunner is running for U.S. Senate.

In the state Legislature, House Republicans celebrated their fundraising figures, with more than $1 million in campaign contributions. The once-dominant GOP now holds 46 of 99 House seats, and hopes to win back the majority it lost in 2006.

House Democrats amassed more than twice as much during the period, however, raising $2.2 million. And caucus funds and the campaign committees of House leaders combined showed House Democrats raised nearly $3.8 million, compared to $1.4 million for House Republicans.

In the Ohio Senate, Republicans held a massive fundraising lead over minority Democrats: nearly $1.9 million compared to $228,000.