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Youngstown mayor has substantial financial lead over challenger
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally enjoys a substantial financial lead over Jamael Tito Brown, his Democratic challenger, heading into the final weeks of the primary season.
See the campaign finance reports
McNally’s campaign reported Thursday receiving $61,600 in contributions between Jan. 1 and April 12. The campaign already had $10,969 in its account before the start of this year.
In comparison, Brown raised $23,110 between Jan. 1 and April 12 and had only $87 heading into 2017.
McNally, seeking his second four-year term as mayor, had spent $28,208 from Jan. 1 to April 12, compared with $21,688 for Brown during the same time frame.
Because of McNally’s large financial lead, his campaign was sitting on $38,208 compared with only $1,509 for Brown as of April 12.
Among the major contributors to give money to both candidates is Operating Engineers Local #66, District #2 Political Contributing Entity of Boardman, which gave $2,500 to each.
The two faced each other in the 2013 Democratic primary, with McNally winning by 142 votes despite raising $104,000 during the race compared with about $41,000 for Brown.
The most expensive race in the Mahoning Valley so far is the Democratic primary for Youngstown Municipal Court.
The seat is being vacated by Judge Robert Milich, who cannot seek another term because of the state’s age limit on judges.
City Magistrate Anthony Sertick raised $60,990 in contributions and lent $2,000 to his campaign. He’s spent $45,598 as of April 12.
Carla Baldwin, a Mahoning County juvenile court magistrate, raised $44,792 and spent $33,907 as of April 12.
Meanwhile, in Niles, Chris Shaker, one of four candidates in the Democratic primary for Niles Municipal Court judge, is dramatically outspending his opponents.
Shaker spent $55,408 so far and has $2,993 left in his campaign account after contributing $55,000 of his own money. He has indicated he is not accepting campaign contributions.
Gil Blair has spent $8,892 and has $1,930 left; John Gargano has spent $8,152 and has $13,162 left; and Terry Swauger has spent $7,648 and has $4,052 left.
The four are seeking to replace Judge Thomas Townley, who is retiring.
Contributor: Ed Runyan, staff writer