Candidates line up money for May primary
YOUNGSTOWN
Danny Thomas Jr., a Democratic running for Struthers mayor, raised $17,280 compared to $100 by his opponent for the open seat during the first 3 1/2 months of this year.
Ronald Carcelli, who’s also seeking the Democratic nomination in the May 5 primary, also only raised $200 during the second half of 2014.
But that doesn’t mean he isn’t financially competitive.
Carcelli, who’s been planning to run for mayor for a while, raised $11,098 during the first half of 2014 and had $6,637 left over from his successful 2013 Struthers school board race.
As of Jan. 1, Carcelli had $11,888 in his fund, and added $100 from a March 26 donation.
Carcelli spent $2,974 – primarily on campaign materials – between Jan. 1 and April 15, leaving him with $9,014 as of the latter date.
Thomas, a former council member, didn’t start raising money for his campaign until Jan. 27. But once he started, he didn’t stop.
Thomas received $17,280 in campaign contributions.
A longtime Democratic political consultant, Thomas received $100 contributions from Bill DeMora, the Ohio Democratic Party secretary, and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley’s campaign; and $250 from state Rep. and former ODP Chairman David Leland’s campaign fund.
Thomas spent $8,325 during the reporting period. Like Carcelli, most of Thomas’ expenses were for campaign materials such as mailers, yard signs, door hangers and shirts.
Candidates and committees backing issues on the May 5 ballot had to file pre-primary campaign finance reports by Thursday.
The Ohio Education Association gave $8,297 to the Citizens for South Range Schools, which is backing a 4.9-mill, 3-year additional levy to raise $931,838 annually on the May 5 ballot.
Read more in Friday's Vindicator.