How impressive of a fundraiser is former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)?
Brown raised more than $1.5 million during the first half of April alone, according to campaign-finance reports due Thursday night ahead of Ohio’s May 5 primary. By April 15, Brown had a whopping $17 million in the bank.
Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) raised $261,000 in the same period. That’s nearly six times less than Brown. Husted had $8.1 million in the bank by April 15.
Ohio has gone red during the Trump era. But Brown singlehandedly puts the Senate race in play for the midterms. Yes, Brown lost to Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) just last cycle. Yet a favorable midterm environment — with President Donald Trump off the ticket — could be a chance at redemption.
Husted, a former lieutenant governor, was appointed to fill the seat of Vice President JD Vance. Husted has lagged behind Brown in fundraising all cycle.
Brown raised $10.1 million in the first three months of the year. Husted raised $2.9 million, but pulled in another $1.7 million in a joint fundraising committee.
Ohio will also host a competitive governor’s race and several contested congressional contests, including in Cincinnati and Toledo.
The top Senate GOP super PAC has vowed to spend $79 million in Ohio to help Husted prevail.
