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Governor enjoys big fundraising lead
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Gov. John Kasich’s re-election campaign more than doubled its fund balance through the first half of the year, as his likely Democratic challenger worked to establish his own war chest for the 2014 gubernatorial contest.
Kasich’s campaign reported nearly $2.6 million in contributions, including 100-plus individuals or groups that added $10,000 or more to the coffers. Subtracting expenses, the governor’s reelection effort had a remaining balance of more than $4.4 million.
“Ohioans are clearly supporting the governor and his work to turn around Ohio,” Chris Schrimpf, spokesman for the Ohio GOP, said in a released statement. “The governor has received significantly more support than previous incumbents at this time. Democrats, on the other hand, should be especially concerned that the candidate leading their ticket, despite a huge cash infusion from his own political party, has less money on hand than nearly every Republican state-wide candidate. While Gov. Kasich’s campaign is enjoying broad support, his opponent appears to be floundering.”
Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, who officially declared his candidacy for governor in late April, reported more than $600,000 in contributions, including $119,500 deposited by the Ohio Democratic Party before the filing deadline Wednesday.
After expenses, the campaign had a remaining balance of $543,541.
“We’re grateful for the strong support we’ve received from people all over the state who want to see Ed FitzGerald become governor of Ohio,” Nick Buis, FitzGerald’s campaign manager, said in a released statement. “Nearly 95 percent, an overwhelming majority of our contributions, came from Ohioans who live here and are deeply concerned about the direction of this state under John Kasich. People in every corner of Ohio are excited about Ed, and this report shows the real grassroots momentum that our campaign has right now. This is only just the beginning.”
Candidates and campaign groups were required to file semi-annual reports Wednesday afternoon disclosing contributions received and expenses paid through at least the first six months of the year. Parties and pundits analyze the results to determine the early strength of campaigns.
Among other statewide office-holders and candidates reporting Wednesday:
Attorney General: Incumbent Republican Mike DeWine reported contributions of more than $567,000, including $30,000 from the Summit County Republican Central Committee.
DeWine’s campaign had an account balance approaching $1.2 million.
David Pepper, who hopes to challenge DeWine in November 2014, reported contributions of more than $201,000, including a last-minute addition of $27,800 from the Ohio Democratic Party’s state candidate fund.
Pepper’s campaign had a balance on hand of $198,985 for the period.
Secretary of State: Republican Jon Husted reported nearly $594,000 in contributions, and his campaign had a balance on hand of more than $1.6 million.
State Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, who hopes to unseat Husted, reported contributions of nearly $204,000, including $25,000 from the Ohio Democratic Party. Her campaign had a remaining cash balance of $128,756.
Auditor: Republican Dave Yost reported contributions of more than $193,000 and a balance on hand of nearly $521,000.
His expected challenger, state Rep. John Carney, D-Columbus, who has not yet declared his candidacy, reported contributions of more than $302,000 and a balance on hand of $449,809. The Ohio Democratic Party added $25,000 to his campaign Tuesday.
Treasurer: Republican Josh Mandel reported contributions of more than $1.1 million and a cash balance of a little more than $1 million. The Ohio Republican Party contributed $250,000 before the filing deadline.
Democratic challenger Connie Pillich, a current state lawmaker representing a Cincinnati-area district, reported contributions of more than $312,000, including an infusion of $30,000 posted earlier this week from the Ohio Democratic Party.
Her campaign account had a remaining balance of $291,962 for the filing period.