FEC

The campaign of U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) is talking up the findings of a Tarrance Group poll commissioned by the campaign, and a $40,000 cash on hand advantage in the race for Ohio's 2nd Congressional District.

The Schmidt campaign did not release exact figures from the internal poll, including margin of error, or number of voters questioned, but did say the poll took place October 12 and 13.

Schmidt spokesperson Bruce Pfaff said that as the election heads into the final weeks not much has changed.

"Congresswoman Schmidt continues to hold a big lead over her two opponents," Pfaff said. "The Congresswoman holds an impressive 14 point lead over her nearest rival. Further, we enter the final weeks with a significant cash advantage during a period where cash very much matters."

Congressman John Olver is going into the election with a large cash-on-hand advantage over Republican challenger Nathan Bech, according to the candidates' 3rd Quarter Federal Election Commission reports.

U.S. Rep. John Olver (D-Amherst)Olver, an Amherst Democrat, raked in $98,000 in the 3rd Quarter and finished with $157,000 in his bank account. Bech finished the quarter having raised $17,000 and having just $8,600 in his campaign coffer.

Bech has also loaned his campaign nearly $63,000 during this election cycle and has yet to pay himself back.

Olver spent more than $137,000 during the quarter, most of which went toward a media buy. He paid a Washington, D.C., media shop nearly $31,000 to produce ads and spent $76,000 purchasing airtime for them.

U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Frederick), who represents Maryland's 6th Congressional District, reported $78,538.91 in total contributions in the third fundraising quarter and has $374,142.18 cash on hand, according to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission.

His opponent, former Frederick Mayor Jennifer Dougherty (D), reported $30,432.07 in total contributions in the 3rd quarter and has $27,986.80 cash on hand.

U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Westwood) has been on the target radar for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for several election cycles now.

And the independent expenditure arm of the DCCC has now spend upwards of $120,000 in Ohio's 1st Congressional District just this week.

State Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Price Hill) is challenging Chabot for the seat.

Reports from the Federal Elections Commission show that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee dropped some money into the races for Ohio's 1st and 16th Congressional Districts Thursday.

The DCCC reported spending $7795.45 in Ohio's 1st on mail services from Mission Control.

State Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Price Hill) is challenging U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Westwood) in the district.

The Democratic election organization also reported spending $7497.48 in Ohio's 16th, also on mail services, but from American Mail Direct.

The campaign of state Sen. Steve Austria (R-Beavercreek) said after filing the campaign's second quarter Federal Elections Commission report that the numbers indicate voters agree with Austria's priorities of job creation, strengthening the economy and lowering gas prices.

"The majority of my contributions continue to come from individuals who know that I will best represent the views and values of the 7th District," Austria said. "In addition, we raised more than 80% of these contributions in June as momentum for our campaign reached a new high and our grassroots organizations were solidified in all 8 counties."

Austria reported $341,970 in contributions during the second quarter to the FEC. His opponent, attorney Sharen Neuhardt (D-Yellow Springs) reported $190,275. Austria reported having $361,244 cash on hand compared to $108,408 for Neuhardt.

Vermont's lone Congressman, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vermont) reported raising $170,773 in the second quarter of 2008, according to his Federal Elections Commission filing. He reported expenses of $60,0671 over the same period, leaving the incumbent with $930,667 cash on hand, up from $828,711 last quarter. As of yet, he faces no announced opponent in his bid for a second term.

The campaign of state Sen. John Boccieri (D-New Middletown) touted its support from small donors after raising $391,237 in the second fundraising quarter of 2008. Boccieri's total fundraising equaled $1,081,509, and the campaign reported his current cash on hand at $531,015.

His opponent, state Sen. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) raised $329,525 in the second quarter and reported $348,939 in cash on hand. Schuring hit Boccieri Wednesday morning for taking what the Schuring campaign said was 86 percent of donations from outside Ohio's 16th Congressional district.

The two are vying to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula (R-Navarre), who has held the 16th Congressional district seat since 1973.

The Boccieri campaign said they had a "broad base of small donors." The campaign said over half of his contributions in the 2nd quarter were $100 dollars or less, and that three of five of those donations came from within the 16th district.

The Boccieri camp said that Schuring, "who raised the state gas tax, has taken over $20,000 from oil executives, and fully two thirds of his funds this quarter came from big-money backers like Hoover and Timken, who have laid off thousands of area workers within the past five years."

The campaign of Dr. Victoria Wulsin (D-Indian Hill) responded to the FEC fundraising filings Wednesday by pointing out that the campaign raised more than opponent U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) in the race for Ohio's 2nd Congressional district and accusing Schmidt of struggling with her base.

The Wulsin campaign raised $309,912 in the period from April 1 to June 30, compared to $301,462 for Schmidt. Independent candidate David Krikorian raised $91,092 in the second quarter. Wulsin reported having $378,084 in cash on hand, compared to $393,028 for Schmidt and $131,445 for Krikorian.

Wulsin communications director Kevin Franck spoke about the numbers.

"We have built remarkable momentum in the last few months as people have rejected Jean Schmidt's reckless disregard for the truth and embraced our message that Washington should be accountable to the people again," Franck said. "When an incumbent Congresswoman has trouble raising money, you know she is in trouble."

The following figures come from FEC Form 3 of the campaign filings of those contending to represent Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives. The first figure represents total contributions other than loans covering the period from April 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008. The second figure represents the amount of cash on hand at close of the reporting period.