Brunner campaign reports raising over $435,000
This in via e-mail from the Brunner for Senate campaign:
BRUNNER REPORTS MORE THAN $435,000 RAISED
Adds Big Names to Finance Committee
COLUMBUS – Ohio Secretary of State and U.S. Senate candidate Jennifer Brunner today announced that she has raised more than $435,000 thus far for her U.S. Senate campaign, including over $228,000 raised in the second quarter of this year. That figure reflects an increase from the previous quarter for the Brunner campaign.
Brunner also announced that she has just added some big-name fundraisers to her Finance Committee, including Barbara Gould, Lana Moresky and Christopher Celeste. Taken together, the three augur for a strong fundraising quarter for the upcoming third quarter.
The latest polling data, released last week by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, shows Fisher and Brunner in a statistical dead heat. History shows that while Fisher has always outraised his opponents, he is rarely successful on Election Day. Incumbent Fisher outraised challenger Betty Montgomery in 1994 by more than a million dollars for Attorney General but was still defeated, making Fisher the only incumbent Attorney General to be defeated in more than 50 years. Fisher also outspent Bob Taft for governor in 1998 by more than a million dollars, and was defeated again. So Fisher’s fundraising lead over Brunner is hardly intimidating.
“The good news is that our fundraising this quarter was a little better than the previous quarter, while my opponent’s was worse,” Brunner said. “Every week, the polls show this race to be a little closer, and now we’re in a statistical dead heat. So the momentum is on our side, and that’s being reflected in our fundraising. Now, with Barbara, Lana and Christopher helping us raise money, we are certain to do even better next quarter.”
The three names are certainly well known among Democratic donors. Gould, of Indian Hill, was a top fundraiser for President Obama in Ohio last year, while Moresky, of Shaker Heights, the past president of Ohio NOW, was a top Ohio fundraiser for Hillary Rodham Clinton. Christopher Celeste, son of former Ohio Governor Dick Celeste, has not only been a big donor to a myriad of political candidates and causes, initiating a political action committee that is now a part of the EMILY’s List operation. He remains one of Ohio’s most successful young entrepreneurs. Prior to endorsing Brunner, Celeste himself had considered seeking the U.S. Senate seat. Together, their support for Brunner shows the degree to which Ohio Democrats remain divided in the Senate race.
Brunner noted that she did not expect to outraise someone who has been a candidate for office for 30 years. “My campaign is hungrier, smarter, more disciplined and more focused on solid public policy that touches the lives of everyday Ohioans,” Brunner said. “If it was all about money, Lee Fisher would have been elected governor more than a decade ago, and saved Ohio from Bob Taft. But Ohio voters are smarter than that; they see through the money and look to individuals who fight for them on issues that matter. That’s why I am confident we will win – not only in May, but in November, when it really matters.”
I think Portman raised around 2.2 million.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:46 pmBrunner’s new finance team is interesting. Lana Moresky used to run Ohio NOW.
These are signs of hope for Brunner in the future.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:51 pmPatrick, Portman for Senate Ends 2nd Quarter with $4.3 Million in the Bank. They don’t send me releases, but it is online.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:59 pmPLEASE REMEMBER FOLKS THAT ROB PORTMAN WAS GEORGE DUBYA BUSH’S BUDGUT DIRECTOR AND LOOK AT THE MESS WE ARE IN….
July 15th, 2009 at 7:28 pmFISHER FOR OHIO
Despite that Michael, Portman has outraised both Fisher and Brunner together, by almost two million. Which I realize will lead some to conclude that’s why Brunner should drop out so that Fisher doesn’t have to spend money against her in the primary but the reality is no matter which one ends up winning they are going to face a candidate with a great deal of campaign money.
July 15th, 2009 at 7:34 pm