The Rink Report: Money and the Race for Election

By Collin Rink

This is the first installment of The Rink Report: Buckeye Firearms Association Edition. In this, and future editions, I will try to keep track of the race for $$$$ and how it impacts the race for election.

This information is gleaned from end of year reports filed by various candidates and committees. All are Republican in this examination. Future ones will include Democrats. These are based upon my readings of public records available online.

As a summary, it appears that Buckeye Firearms Association-endorsee gubernatorial candidates Ken Blackwell and Jim Petro are in good shape for their upcoming primary battle. Petro has a large reserve, but Blackwell is raising money at a much faster rate. The anti-gun Betty Montgomery has a much greater war chest than the conservative, Buckeye Firearms Association-endorsee Tim Grendell in the Attorney General's race, but I
don't see Grendell backing down. Cincinnati-area favorite Greg Hartmann is walloping Rep. Jim Trakas in fundraising for the Secretary of State's race, while every Ohio gun owners' friend, Representative Mary Taylor, is unopposed in her quest for Auditor.

In the 2nd Congressional District, Incumbent and Buckeye Firearms Association-endorsee Jean Schmidt faces challenger Bob McEwen. Schmidt has a dramatic lead in the money race for the 2nd District nomination. Emboldened by the displeasure expressed by some over Congresswoman Schmidt's "cowards cut and run" remarks, and his close 2nd place finish in the previous 2nd District Primary, Bob McEwen, a former member of Congress, has returned to Ohio from his D.C. area home to face down Schmidt for the nomination. McEwen seems to be finding little support, having had only $576.09 on hand at the end of 2005. "Carpetbagging Bob" or "Bouncin' Bob" doesn't quite seem to know where he lives. He owns a home valued at over $800,000 in the Washington D.C. area, where he works as a lobbyist. He also has a small condo valued at $105,000 in the Cincinnati suburbs, which her purchased in April of 2005. Somehow, he claims this as his primary residence. This race, the Attorney General's race and the Governor's race are the ones to watch this primary season.

Republicans Gubernatorial candidates:
Ken Blackwell received about $1,457,882 in contibutions, spent about $1,055,606 and has about $1.5 Million on hand.

Jim Petro received about $872,459 in contributions. He spent about $1.873 Million and has a hair over $2 Million on hand.

Attorney General candidates:
Tim Grendell received about $166K in contributions and has about $212K on hand.

Betty Montgomery received about $709K in contributions, and has about $1.86 Million on hand. (NOTE: Spent most of year as Gov. candidate)

Secretary of State Candidates:
Greg Hartmann: $402K in contributions with a balance of about $485K

Jim Trakas: $65K in contributions. Balance of about $42K

Auditor:
Mary Taylor: $195K contributed. $209K on hand.

Treasurer:
Jeanette Bradley: $134K contributed. $266K on hand

Sandra O'Brien: Info not found

United States Congress, 2nd District:
Bob McEwen: Received: $188,065 Spent: $492,637 Loans from candidate to own campaign: $305,400 Campaign debt: $305,400 Cash On Hand: $576.00

Jean Schmidt: Received: $783,073 Spent: $876,084 Loans from candidate to own campaign: $255,150 Campaign Debt: $255,150 On Hand: $162,140