Ryan’s campaign outspends its earnings

YOUNGSTOWN — Among the five U.S. House members representing the Mahoning and Shenango valleys, Tim Ryan’s congressional campaign was the only one to spend more money than it raised last year and ended 2009 with the least amount of money on hand.

In 2009, the campaign of Ryan of Niles, D-17th, raised $456,166, but spent $540,567.

Campaign finance reports for members of Congress and challengers who’ve raised at least $5,000 had to be filed by Sunday with the Federal Election Commission. The latest filing was for the period between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31.

As he did in every quarter, but the one from July 1 to Sept. 30, Ryan spent more money in the last quarter of 2009 than he raised. Ryan raised $73,401 and spent $105,799 between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31.

Because of money his campaign carried over from previous years, Ryan ended 2009 with a cash surplus of $254,009 — the smallest amount of the five area members of Congress.

Ryan is expected to face challenges in the Democratic primary and in the general election. Congressional Quarterly and Roll Call, publications and Web sites that cover Capitol Hill, consider Ryan to be in a “safe Democratic seat.”

Over the past year, political action committees contributed $280,600 to Ryan, 62 percent of the money he raised.

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com