Washington bureau
Something happened in Ohio in August that hasn’t happened in the state since early this spring: President Barack Obama received more campaign cash than Republican opponent Mitt Romney.
Ohio donors gave Obama $881,867 in August to Romney’s $506,722, marking the first time since April where Obama has outraised Romney in Ohio.
Romney has raised far more than Obama in Ohio over the course of the campaign, collecting $6.3 million to Obama’s $4.3 million as of August 31.
August proved to be Obama’s most financially lucrative month in Ohio since the campaign began. Before last month, the most he managed to raise from Ohio donors was $450,577. Romney, meanwhile, raised $931,396 back in February.
The $12.5 million Ohio donors have given to all presidential candidates – that includes Republicans Ron Paul, Rick Santorum and the rest of the major candidates – still pales in comparison to states such as California, which has donated some $85.8 million to presidential candidates and New York, which has kicked in $51.5 million to date. In all, major presidential candidates themselves have raised $855.8 million to date this election cycle – a little less than half what all candidates raised in 2008, when there were two open presidential primaries.
And none of that counts the outside groups throwing millions of dollars into the race for the White House.
Overall, Obama has the current financial advantage, raising $432 million as of Aug. 31 to Romney’s $274 million, according to the Federal Elections Commission.
In Ohio, the bulk of Obama’s donations - $906,457 – have come from Cleveland and its immediate suburbs, including Bay Village and Solon. Obama also raised $790,630 from Cincinnati and its immediate suburbs.
In Dayton and suburbs including Kettering and Beavercreek, donors have given $194,017. Donors living in cities such as Bellbrook, Yellow Springs, Xenia and Sidney - people with a ZIP code starting with 453 - have given Obama’s campaign $89,018. And Springfield-area donors have contributed $24,632.
Romney, meanwhile, has raised money most successfully in Cincinnati, where donors have contributed nearly $1.8 million. Cleveland donors, meanwhile, have given $599,770, though donors farther northeast, in cities including Chagrin Falls, Avon Lake and Lorain have contributed $484,716.
In the Dayton region, including suburbs such as Kettering, Beavercreek and other cities whose ZIP codes begin with 454, Romney has garnered $179,579. Donors living in ZIP codes beginning with 453, including Xenia, Piqua and Sidney, gave Romney $91,922. And Springfield donors gave Romney $8,231.
Presidential fundraising in Ohio by month
February: Mitt Romney $931,396
Barack Obama $137,730
March: Romney $116,572
Obama $261,279
April: Romney $182,726
Obama $215,529
May: Romney $480,475
Obama $325,994
June: Romney $410,993
Obama $ 297,246
July: Romney $527,105
Obama $450,577
August
Romney: $506,722
Obama $881,867
Source: Federal Election Commission
Voter info session at Dayton Metro Library on Sept. 29
The Greater Dayton Association of Black Journalists will host a nonpartisan voter’s education forum from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Dayton Metro Library’s downtown branch, 215 E 3rd St, Dayton.
Beverly King and Jan Kelly of the Montgomery County Board of Election will share information as will Brenda Mack, president of the Ohio Black Republican Association. A representative from the Democratic Party will also be in attendance.
There will be a voting machine demonstration and an opportunity to register to vote on site.
Meet the candidates, learn about issues on Oct. 7
The Dayton Metro Library will sponsor a special forum, “Election 2012: Know the Issues — Avoid the Spin,” on Sunday, Oct. 7, from 2-4 pm at the Main Library auditorium, 215 E. Third Street, downtown. The program is free and open to the public.
The forum will focus on the economy, healthcare and the electoral process, and will be moderated by the Greater Dayton Area chapter of the League of Women Voters. A brief overview of the issues will be presented, followed by a discussion with candidates running for the U.S. House and Ohio legislature.
Do you know of any election events in our area? Send the information to electioneditor@coxinc.com
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