Pro-casino backers of Issue 3, the Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee, raised almost $36 million, most in the current reporting period. The campaign spent nearly $31.8 million.
The main opposition group, TruthPAC, raised $5.9 million and spent $5.4 million, while Democrats Against Issue 3 raised $200,000 and spent $50,037.
Danis, Premier big donors to parks levy
In Montgomery County, the Five Rivers MetroParks levy committee took in $163,858 during the current and previous reporting periods. The largest contributors supporting the 1.8 mill, 10-year replacement levy were Danis Building Construction and Miami Valley Hospital/Premier Health Partners, which each gave $10,000.
The committee spent $124,193 during the current period.
Library levy raises $108,618
The committee for Dayton Metro Library’s 1.75-mill continuing replacement levy took in $108,618 in the two reporting periods. It spent $85,749 this period.
Kettering Adventist Healthcare’s $25,000 was the largest contribution to the library levy.
McLin far ahead of Leitzell in cash
In Dayton, Mayor Rhine McLin raised more than $121,464 in campaign contributions this election season, outpacing opponent Gary Leitzell nearly eight to one, according to reports filed in July and Tuesday with the Montgomery County Board of Elections.
Leitzell’s contributions totaled $15,935 and he spent more than $11,000.
McLin’s Tuesday report showed cash donations of $69,602 since July 31. She spent $84,681.
Topping the mayor’s donations were two for $5,000, one from Jerome F. Tatar, former president and chief executive officer of Mead, and the other from the Ohio Democratic Party. The state party also gave McLin $20,899 worth of in-kind contributions for printing, mail service, etc.
Democratic lobbyist Paul Tipps of Columbus, along with attorneys Douglas Mann and Michael Dyer, each gave $2,500. Alvin Freeman, who claimed in March that McLin had improperly placed his name as a nominator on her petitions to run for a third term, gave $500 to her re-election campaign.
Among Leitzell’s largest contributors were Jeff Samuelson, developer of the Shoppes on Brown Street, who gave $1,000 and Alan Rinzler, managing partner of the Talbott Tower, who made a $2,342 in-kind contribution for offices to house Leitzell’s campaign headquarters.
Leitzell also received dozens of small contributions of $100 or less.
“This is completely grass roots and proves any citizen can step up to the plate and run for office,” Leitzell said.
Also among his supporters was Dr. Benjamin Schuster, who gave Leitzell $350, and New Carlisle attorney Wilburn Lee Baker, who made four contributions totaling $1,550. Baker said he has never met the candidate, but respects him as a small business owner.
In the Dayton City Commission race, incumbent Nan Whaley led fundraising among three candidates, taking in $41,854 during both reporting periods.
Incumbent Joey Williams received contributions totaling $7,358, and challenger David Esrati had donations of $4,314.
Greene and Miami countywide levies
In Greene County, supporters of the 1.5 mill levy renewal for Greene County Mental Health and Recovery Services collected $83,698 and spent more than $69,000. The largest contribution — $45,000 — came from TCN Behavioral Health services, one of the agency’s contractors.
The Miami County Park District campaign for a 1.1-mill levy collected $8,722 and spent $1,672.
Pro-Issue 2 group raises more than $3.6 million
The statewide Yes for Issue 2 campaign, which is supporting a constitutional amendment that would create a state livestock care standards board, reported it spent $2.81 million of $3.61 million raised to date. Opposition group, Food & Water Watch, reported an independent expenditure to defeat Issue 2 of about $6,300.
Staff Writers Ben Sutherly, Nancy Bowman, Christopher Magan and William Hershey contributed to this report.
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