"I will raise money to be competitive, but I will not lose sight of what my responsibility is to the people," Bradley told The Associated Press. "We need to get away from this, 'Do anything and everything for fundraising.'"

A story from the AP says, the country's first black woman to serve as lieutenant governor, Bradley is a newcomer to the Republican dominance of state politics. She's also a moderate whose support of abortion rights and gay rights have been criticized by conservatives.

She has about $193,000 compared with Democratic challenger Richard Cordray's $453,000, but said her campaign is going well and she's not concerned about the race.

"You need to raise funds, but you can't lose sight and make that the driving factor, 'the be all, the do all,' to raise money," Bradley said. "The people need to know, yes, you have to raise money, but not to the extreme that you cast everything to the wind, and I'm not going to do that."

The state Republican party supports Bradley but said Ohio is an expensive state to wage a campaign in and fundraising is necessary.

"Everybody would agree with her to a point, but at the same time, running for statewide office requires that you raise large sums of money," said John McClelland, Ohio GOP spokesman. "Those are statements that I'm sure any candidate would love to make, but there is a reality that must be considered."

Cordray, the Franklin County treasurer twice defeated in runs for statewide office, said Bradley is making excuses for her lack of support.

Click here to read more of this story from the AP.