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Hopefuls differ in fund-raising approaches
By DAVID SKOLNICK
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown Councilwoman Carol Rimedio-Righetti said she worked hard to raise money for her bid to win the Democratic primary for Mahoning County commissioner.
From Jan. 1 to April 14, she raised $34,162, according to campaign-finance reports submitted Thursday to the county board of elections.
Incumbent Commissioner David Ludt, a Democrat from Poland, raised $35,000 for his re-election bid during the same time frame.
Unlike Rimedio-Righetti, Ludt didn’t raise any money from outside sources.
All $35,000 came from a loan he gave his campaign.
And Ludt said he’s willing to spend $100,000 of his own money to win the May 4 primary and be re-elected to his fourth term in the November general election.
Ludt said he didn’t ask anyone for contributions and didn’t receive any between Jan. 1 and April 14.
Ludt had his first fund-raising event for this campaign Wednesday.
Though the numbers aren’t finalized, Ludt said he probably netted about $5,000 for his campaign after expenses for the event.
Rimedio-Righetti’s major contributors were: $5,000 from the Sheet Metal Workers Committee on Political Education Fund of Youngstown; $3,000 from businessman Bruce Zoldan and his wife, Rori; and $2,000 from county Democratic Party Chairman David Betras, an attorney.
Rimedio-Righetti conducted another fundraiser Sunday.
Rimedio-Righetti also raised $7,320 in 2009 for this campaign, while Ludt raised nothing.
In the county auditor’s Democratic primary, incumbent Michael Sciortino of Austintown raised $27,475 from Jan. 1 to April 14. He also received $21,590 in the second half of last year.
Andrew D’Apolito of Canfield, who’s challenging Sciortino in the Democratic primary, raised $5,005, including $1,000 he lent, for his campaign.
The only open seat in the state Legislature representing the Mahoning Valley is the 65th Ohio House District. Incumbent Sandra Stabile Harwood, a Niles Democrat, cannot seek re-election because of the state’s term-limits law.
Among the four Democrats seeking to replace her, J.D. Williams of Liberty has raised the most money. He raised $29,435 between Jan. 1 and April 14. He also raised $48,328 last year for this race.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE PRE-PRIMARY REPORTS
Officeholders and candidates running in the May 4 primary had to file campaign-finance reports for activity between Jan. 1 and April 14. Only those who raised and/or spent at least $1,000 are listed here. Because of rounding, not all figures are exact. The reports are subject to review by county elections boards and, if necessary, the Ohio secretary of state and Ohio Elections Commission. An (*) denotes incumbents.
OHIO SENATE
33RD DISTRICT
Joe Schiavoni* (D): Had, $57,780; contributions, $6,430; spent, $13,606; has, $50,604. Major contributor: Ohio Association for Justice Political Action Committee (PAC) of Dublin, $2,000.
Matthew M. Lewis (R): Had, $0; contributions, $2,190; other income, $2,000 (loan from Lewis); spent, $2,515; has, $1,675; in-kind, $639; outstanding debt, $2,000. Major contributor: Mark K. Lewis of Waverly, $1,500.
Adam L. Rutushin (R): Had, $0; contributions, $0; other income, $1,200; spent, $1,040; has, $160.
OHIO HOUSE
1ST DISTRICT
Linda Bolon* (D): Had, $15,393; contributions, $21,750; spent, $28,742; has, $8,401. Major contributors: David Maltz of Cleveland, $5,000; Ohio Education Association’s Fund for Children and Public Education of Columbus, $4,400; Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. Political Participation Committee of Columbus, $1,000; Realtors PAC of Columbus, $1,000; Renew Ohio PAC of Massillon, $1,000.
59TH DISTRICT
Ronald V. Gerberry* (D): Had, $35,703; contributions, $450; other income, $1; spent, $14,,670; has, $21,485; in-kind, $55.
60TH DISTRICT
Robert F. Hagan* (D): Had, $4,103; contributions, $24,800; spent, $11,360; has, $17,543; in-kind, $67. Major contributors: Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen PAC Fund of Cleveland, $10,000; OCUL Legislative Action Committee of Columbus, $1,000; Robert J. Savage of New York City, $2,000.
Daniel R. Thimons (R): Had, $1,221; contributions, $1,020; spent, $411; has, $1,830; in-kind, $3.
61ST DISTRICT
Mark D. Okey* (D): Had, $6,050; contributions, $9,496; spent, $10,495; has, $5,051; outstanding loan, $5,000. Major contributors: OAJ PAC of Dublin, $5,000; Todd Book for Congress of Portsmouth, $1,000.
Brian K. Simeone (D): Had, $0; contributions, $1,266; other income, $100; spent, $1,153; has, $213; outstanding loan, $100.
64TH DISTRICT
Tom Letson* (D): Had, $45,935; contributions, $41,500; spent, $48,562; has, $38,522; in-kind, $343. Major contributors: Ohio House Democratic Caucus of Columbus, $15,000; David Betras of Boardman, $1,500; John Perdue Inc. of Niles, $1,500; Nationwide Mutual Insurance PAC of Columbus, $1,000; Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters of Columbus, $1,000; Ohio State Bar Association Law PAC of Columbus, $1,000; Realtors PAC of Columbus, $1,000.
Vincent S. Flask (D): Had, $164; contributions, $3,247; spent, $5,106; has, $305; in-kind, $152. Major contributor: James Shoaf of Naples, Fla., $1,000.
65TH DISTRICT
Edward D. Stredney (D): Had, $0; contributions, $5,765; spent, $4,234; has, $1,531; in-kind, $691. Major contributor: Beverley Fittapaldo of Warren, $3,410.
J.D. Williams (D): Had, $19,587; contributions, $29,335; other income, $100; spent, $38,142; has, $10,881; outstanding loans, $16,000. Major contributors: Anthony Cafaro of Liberty, $2,000; Eight Factory Row Ltd. of Geneva, $1,500; Elenitsa Enterprises of Warren, $2,000; Mr. Clean’s Mobile Pressure Watch of Warren, $2,000; Realtors PAC of Columbus, $2,500, UP-PAC of Rosemont, Ill., $1,500.
MAHONING COUNTY
COMMISSIONER
David Ludt* (D): Had, $0; contributions, $0; other income, $35,000 (loan from Ludt); spent, $10,190; has, $24,810; in-kind, $200; outstanding loan, $35,000.
Carol Rimedio-Righetti (D): Had, $2,243; contributions, $34,162; spent, $26,056; has, $10,349; in-kind, $2,555. Major contributors: Sheet Metal Workers COPE Fund of Youngstown, $5,000; Paul Rimedio of Canfield, $1,000; Gary and Peggy Marinelli of Boardman, $1,000; Bruce and Rori Zoldan of Canfield, $3,000; David Betras of Boardman, $2,000; Canfield Federation Democratic Women’s Club of Canfield, $1,022; Neil Buzzacco and Angela Joseph of Youngstown, $1,000.
AUDITOR
Michael Sciortino* (D): Had, $13,433; contributions, $27,475; spent, $16,877; has, $24,031; outstanding debt, $4,489. Major contributors: Tim Ryan for Congress of Niles, $1,000; Betras, Maruca, Kopp, Harshman LLC of Canfield, $1,000; Linqing Yang of Canfield, $2,500.
Andrew D’Apolito (D): Had, $0; contributions, $4,005; other income, $1,000 (loan from D’Apolito); spent, $2,166; has, $2,839; outstanding loan, $1,000.
JUVENILE COURT JUDGE
Theresa Dellick* (R): Had, $66; contributions, $10,650; other income, $800; spent, $1,803; has, $9,713; outstanding loans, $30,000.
COMMITTEES
Committee for Our Future (pro-county sales tax): Had, $470; contributions, $20,055; spent, $11,787; has, $8,738; in-kind, $1,859. Major contributors: Thomas D.Y. Fok of Austintown, $1,000; ES&C LLP of Youngstown, $1,000; Howland Co. LLC of Youngstown, $1,000; Aqua Ohio Inc. of Bryn Mawr, Pa, $1,000; Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns and Dehaven Inc. of Akron, $1,000.
Campbell School Levy Committee: Had, $0; contributions, $2,090; spent, $0; has, $2,090. Major contributor: Ohio Association of Public School Employees, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Turnaround Ohio PAC of Columbus, $1,000.
Mahoning County Democratic Party’s Campaign Committee Account: Had, $38,509; contributions, $14,815; spent, $48,783; has, $4,541; has, $4,541; in-kind, $39. Major contributor: Richard Durkin of Berlin Center, $1,000.
TRUMBULL COUNTY
AUDITOR
Adrian Biviano* (D): Had, $18,934; contributions, $0; spent, $3,027; has, $15,907.
COMMISSIONER
Frank Fuda* (D): Had, $33,454; contributions, $14,125; spent, $5,015; has, $42,565.
COMMON PLEAS COURT JUDGE
W. Wyatt McKay* (D): Had, $11,549; contributions, $8,285; spent, $4,902; has, $14,932. Major contributor: Trumbull County Democratic Party, $2,500.
COMMITTEES
Building a Future Committee/Liberty Students First Committee (Liberty Schools): Had, $3,470; contributions, $2,964; spent, $2,023; has, $4,411.
Citizens for Trumbull County Seniors (senior citizens levy), Warren: Had, $92; contributions, $4,052; spent, $4,137; has, $7. Major contributors: Community Bus Service, Youngstown, $2,000; Comfort Keepers, Youngstown, $1,000.
Hubbard Public Library Committee: Had, $0; contributions, $3,183; spent, $20; has, $3,163; in-kind, $24.
Trumbull County Democratic Party/Judicial Account: Had, $911; contributions, $6,691; spent, $6,405; has, $1,197. Major contributors: Committee to Re-elect Judge W. Wyatt McKay, $4,063; Committee to Elect Thomas R. Wright, $2,344.
Trumbull County Democratic Party/Candidate Account: Had, $5,576; contributions, $16,115; spent, $13,708; has, $7,983. Major contributors: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Washington, D.C., $1,000; Committee for Adrian Biviano, $1,563; Committee for Frank Fuda, $2,188.
Trumbull County Republican Party: Had, $14,491; contributions, $1,045; spent, $2,127; has, $13,409.
COLUMBIANA COUNTY
COMMISSIONER
Mike Halleck (R): Had, $8,025; contributions, $143; spent, $743; has, $7,426. Major contributors: David Johnson, Salem; W. Thomas Mackall, North Lima, $1,000; MSCPAC, Youngstown; John R. Sebo, Salem; Charles Presley, Salem, $1,000; Kathleen Presley, Salem, $1,000.
COMMON PLEAS COURT JUDGE
Melissa Byers Emmerling (D) : Had, $zero; contributions, $4,472; spent, $4,593; has, $1,288. Outstanding loan: $1,000.
Scott Washam (R): Had, zero; contributions, $350; spent, $3,939; has, $3,910; in-kind: $1,074. Outstanding loan: $7,500.
COMMITTEES
Columbiana County Republican Judicial Account: Had, $600; contributions, $10,881; spent, $1,428; has, $10,052. Major contributors: Mark Frost, $1,500; Kenneth Robb, $1,500. (Their addresses were not provided in the report.)
Columbiana County Republican Party Political Account: Had, $10,283; contributions, $27,405; spent, $17,041; has $20,696. Major contributors: April Bott, $1,000; John Thompson, $1,500; John Sebo, $1,500; Denise Mackall, $1,500; George Morris, $1,500; Craig Newbold, $1,500; Jack Hill, $1,500; Scot Darling, $1,500; Thomas Darling, $1,500; Kathleen Presley, $3,000. (Their addresses were not provided in the report.)
Columbiana County Democratic Committee: Had, $13,460; contributions, $4,100; spent, $5,971; has, $11,588.
Ohio Valley Tea Party, 1364 Oakgrove Road, Wellsville: Had, $240; contributions, $2,805; spent, $2,478; has, $567.
ISSUES
Salem Public Library Levy Committee, 542 E. State St. Had, zero; contributions, $2,875; spent, $629; has, $2,249.