Ohio governor raises $1.5M more toward fall race

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Political donors poured $1.5 million into Gov. John Kasich's re-election campaign in September as the term-limited Republican continued to amass a huge campaign bank account against a struggling Democratic opponent.

State campaign finance filings Friday showed how much Kasich raised for the month but not how much he spent. That won't be reported again until Oct. 23.

What is known is that he reported having $9.3 million in the bank through the end of June and has reported raising a combined nearly $5 million more during July, August and September.

Democratic opponent Ed FitzGerald, the Cuyahoga County executive, appeared to have all but given up the fundraising fight. He reported raising just $55,000 in September, the least of any candidate for statewide office and half what he raised in August.

FitzGerald's campaign has suffered defections this summer after a series of political blows. The candidate announced he would divert significant campaign cash into overall Democratic turnout efforts.

Fellow Democrats seeking the offices of attorney general, secretary of state, auditor and treasurer were outraised by their Republican incumbent opponents in September, according to the filings.

Cincinnati attorney David Pepper raised the most among Democrats, a reported $302,000 in his challenge to Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine. DeWine raised $347,000 for the month.

Democratic state Rep. Connie Pillich, widely considered to have Democrats' best opportunity for an upset, raised $284,000 for the month. Incumbent Treasurer Josh Mandel, the Republican, raised about $408,000.