Kasich, Republicans Starting with Funding Advantage in 2014 Races

As his re-election push begins, Gov. John Kasich sits on a pile of cash more than five times larger than the one that is supporting Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, his likely Democratic challenger in November.

Kasich raised $3.9 million in the final six months of 2013 to top off a war chest that, according the campaign finance report he filed Friday, holds nearly $8 million.

“Gov. Kasich is leading Ohio’s comeback, and this report is a strong indication that he will have the support and resources to keep our state moving forward for another four years,” Kasich campaign director Matt Carle said in an emailed statement.

FitzGerald, who voluntarily reported contributions from January to boost his total, collected less than half that amount and has a balance of $1.4 million.

The figures reflect donor angst that followed the messy debut of FitzGerald’s first running mate. State Sen. Eric Kearney of Cincinnati left the ticket after revelations of his unpaid business taxes raised questions about the thoroughness of FitzGerald’s vetting. One national media outlet wondered if it was the worst rollout of the year.

FitzGerald replaced Kearney with Dayton-area attorney and political activist Sharen Neuhardt on Jan. 17, helping to boost the home-stretch fundraising push.

The FitzGerald haul also reflects the challenges that the former Lakewood mayor faces as a first-time candidate for statewide office. The $1.6 million he raised from last July through January lags the $4.6 million that Kasich collected as a challenger to a sitting governor – Democrat Ted Strickland – in the same reporting period four years ago.

Friday was the deadline for all statewide candidates to file campaign finance reports from the second half of 2013. Fundraising totals disclosed by other office-seekers showed that:

• Democratic challenger David Pepper outraised Attorney General Mike Dewine by $88,000, but the Republican incumbent has a cash-on-hand advantage of $1 million.
• In the race for state treasurer, Republican incumbent Josh Mandel outraised Democratic State Rep. Connie Pillich and has $2 million on hand to her $801,000.
• Secretary of State Jon Husted, a Republican, has a huge cash-on-hand lead over State Sen. Nina Turner, his likely Democratic challenger. Husted raised $580,000 and has $2.1 million remaining. Turner raised $408,000 and has $299,000 left in the bank.
• State Rep. John Patrick Carney, a Democrat running for state auditor, outraised Republican incumbent Dave Yost, according to Carney’s campaign. Carney’s report had not yet been filed with the state, but a spokeswoman said he raised $326,000. Yost raised $291,000 in the period but has more on hand: $776,000 to Carney’s $600,000.

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