Ohio Senate seat: Who’s leading the money race?
COLUMBUS – More than a year before the primaries to replace Sen. Rob Portman, the financial race is on.
Republicans licking their chops over a rare open Senate seat need to prove they have the fundraising prowess to compete in what’s expected to be a crowded, heated primary. Meanwhile, no Democrat has officially announced a bid yet.
Fundraising numbers for the first months of 2021, reported to the Federal Election Commission Thursday, offer a window into the field, which is far from set.
Who raised the most?
U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers, R-upper Arlington, and former Ohio treasurer Josh Mandel each raised nearly $1.4 million over the past three months.
Mandel raised $1.36 million through Team Josh, a joint fundraising committee that includes his campaign account, a political action committee and the federal account of the Delaware County Republican Party. That amount will be divided among the three groups and cannot all be spent on the Ohio Senate campaign. He raised another $33,000 through his campaign account alone.
Stivers raised $1.38 million through his campaign account, which could all be used for a possible Senate bid. Stivers previously said any decision is likely weeks away.
“I don’t see any reason to be one of the first in this race, but once I get in this race, I plan to be a major force in it,” Stivers said in an interview last month.
Former Ohio Republican Party leader Jane Timken loaned her campaign $1 million, about half of the $2.1 million she reported raising in the first months of the campaign.
“Jane has said from the beginning that she is committed to having the resources to win,” Timken spokeswoman Mandi Merritt said. “The bottom line is she has the resources needed to compete and win.”
Most of the Senate hopefuls raised at least $1 million. However, U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, who ran ads disparaging former Gov. John Kasich, raised about $320,000 between his campaign and joint fundraising committee accounts. Without an infusion of cash, that amount likely won’t cut it.
Cleveland businessman Mike Gibbons and luxury car dealer Bernie Moreno jumped in the Senate race after the first-quarter fundraising deadline. Author J.D. Vance is reportedly told colleagues he plans to run but has not launched a bid to date. A report for U.S. Rep Mike Turner, also considering a bid , was not available as of Friday morning.
Who spent the most?
Timken, who is building up the campaign needed to introduce herself to Ohioans, spent the most this quarter: about $425,000. The largest chunk went to FP1 Strategies for advertising. She has released two ads so far.
Who can go the distance?
Mandel raises money through Team Josh, a joint fundraising committee. That account has nearly $1.3 million in the bank.
Mandel’s campaign account has another $4.2 million on hand. That’s an asset in what’s expected to be an expensive primary.
Stivers reported nearly $2.4 million on hand and Timken has $1.7 million on hand. As a first-time candidate, Timken’s fundraising couldn’t rely on past donations to boost her war chest.
Who are some top GOP donors?
Mandel’s backers included former Cisco Systems CEO Thomas Chambers, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen and a slew of donations under $100. Many of Mandel’s donors came from outside Ohio.
Among Timken’s supporters were retired Timken Co. executive Robert L. Leibensperger, American Financial Group’s Carl H. Lindner III, J.M. Smucker Company chairman emeritus Timothy P. Smucker and Jason Paduchik, an Energy Harbor lobbyist and brother of Ohio GOP chairman Bob Paduchik.
What about the Democrats?
Although no Democrat has officially entered the Ohio Senate race, all eyes are on U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan.
He raised $1.2 million between January and March – more than double his previous quarterly record – and has more than $1 million cash on hand. Money in his House campaign account could be used on a U.S. Senate race.
“Grassroots support for Tim Ryan continues to grow as Ohioans recognize a strong and authentic leader who fights every day to cut workers in on the deal,” spokesman Dennis Willard said of the haul.