McNally has a commanding financial lead in mayor’s race

Former county GOP chairman contributed $1,000

YOUNGSTOWN

When it comes to raising money in the Democratic primary for Youngstown, it’s not even competitive.

John A. McNally IV, a former city law director and Mahoning County commissioner, raised $76,018 between Jan. 1 and April 17, compared to $22,767 for Council President Jamael Tito Brown.

A third candidate, Matthew Smith, didn’t raise any money.

The primary is May 7.

Including contributions from 2012, McNally raised $107,953 to $30,277 for Brown for this campaign. That’s a margin of more than 3-to-1 in favor of McNally.

And McNally is having a golf fundraiser today to raise more money for his campaign.

Among McNally’s major contributors is Clarence Smith, the former chairman of the Mahoning County Republican Party, who gave $1,000. There is no Republican candidate in the Youngstown mayoral race.

McNally has spent more than $20,000 for television and radio commercials.

Brown’s pre-primary campaign finance report, filed with the county board of elections by Thursday’s deadline, doesn’t show any money specifically designated for TV or radio even though his campaign is airing commercials.

As of April 17, McNally had also spent considerably more than Brown.

McNally’s campaign spent $75,344, including nearly $60,000 between Jan. 1 and April 17. Brown’s campaign spent $25,436 overall with $18,472 between Jan. 1 and April 17.