Governor race: DeWine leads Cordray in race for campaign cash

Even though he spent $3.7 million in the final days of a bruising GOP primary fight, Republican governor candidate Mike DeWine is still sitting on a pile of campaign cash: $7.2 million.

And even though Democrat Richard Cordray raised $2.7 million and spent less than half what DeWine did, he trails DeWine badly in the money race: $2.6 million.

Related: Poll: Ohio governor’s race too close to call

DeWine issued a $1-million personal loan to his campaign and he got a head start on Cordray. DeWine has been raising campaign cash while he has been attorney general over the past eight years. Cordray, who didn’t jump into the race until December, spent seven years heading the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau where he was prohibited from politicking.

A poll released this week by Quinnipiac University shows Cordray at 42 percent and DeWine at 40 percent, a two-point spread that is within the margin of error.

Related: Dems want to pin ECOT blame on GOP

Related: FBI investigation, Trump may factor into Ohio governor’s race

The post-primary reports give a glimpse into how much money the campaigns spent in the final days of the primaries and how much they have left going into the dog days of summer when fund raising is a major focus.

In the down ticket races, Democrats showed fund raising strength, helping them close the money gap they typically face against their Republican opponents.

Attorney General: Democrat Steve Dettelbach, a former U.S. attorney, raised $695,810, spent $178,016 and has $2.67 million on hand. Republican Dave Yost, who is currently state auditor, raised $245,466, spent $82,355 and has $2.8 million on hand.

Auditor: Democrat Zack Space, a former congressman, raised $271,148, spent $95,993 and has $605,197 on hand. Republican Keith Faber raised $61,508, spent $46,149 and has $785,421 on hand.

Secretary of State: Democrat Kathleen Clyde, a state representative from Kent, raised $378,988, spent $105,268 and has $1.17 million on hand. Republican Frank LaRose, a state senator from Hudson, raised $215,132, spent $163,739 and has $900,329 on hand.

Treasurer: Democrat Rob Richardson of Hamilton County raised $212, 172, spent $171,878 and has $609,421 on hand. Republican Robert Sprague, a state representative from Findlay, raised $366,908, spent $322,945 and has $252,842 on hand.

Supreme Court Justice: Democrats Michael Donnelly raised $48,960, spent $46,131 and has $73,919 on hand and Melody Stewart raised $48,960, spent $18635 and has $62,680 on hand; Republicans Craig Baldwin raised $53,809, spent $26,720 and has $75,962 on hand and Mary Degenaro raised $19,050, spent $13,984 and has $51,476 on hand.

About the Author