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The Republican incumbent state legislators who represent the Mahoning Valley have significant financial advantages over their Democratic challengers right before the election.
Pre-general election finance reports, for the period between June 6 and Oct. 14, show that in the 65th Ohio House District race, state Rep. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, raised $82,988 in the pre-general period compared to $30,237.51 for Democrat John Barbo of Geneva. The district includes portions of Trumbull and Ashtabula counties.
The Valley legislator to raise the most money in the pre-general period was state Rep. Nick Santucci, R-Niles, who is running unopposed for the 64th House seat. He raised $118,120 in the period. Santucci's district includes portions of Trumbull County.
For Thomas and Santucci, much of the money they collected in the filing period came from political action committees. Of the $82,988 raised by Thomas in the pre-general period, $49,874 came from PACs.
Thomas reported $74,555 spent in the period, with $50,000 going to the Ohio House Republican Organizational Committee in donations. Barbo raised $30,237 in the period and spent $14,882, with his largest expense being $10,950 to Fulton Sign of Mentor for signs and shirts. As of Oct. 14, Thomas had $16,823.01 in his campaign fund compared with $15,354.57 for Barbo.
While Santucci is running unopposed this year, he raised $118,120 in this period, including $50,450 from PACs. Santucci spent $164,274.75 in the period with $90,000 going to OHROC and $31,730 going to GM Financial for "vehicle for campaign purposes."
In the post primary period, Santucci paid $15,000 to GM Financial for the same reason and earlier this year, his campaign paid $15,000 to R.D. Banks Chevrolet of Champion for a vehicle for campaign purposes.
After expenses, Santucci had $95,512 in his campaign fund as of Oct. 14.