Fewer donors give more to Kasich
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. John Kasich might be the top fundraiser in his home state, but plenty of Ohioans are donating to his competitors.
Where they are spending their money might surprise you. Dr. Ben Carson received more donations, 2,440, than any other candidate in Ohio, followed by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, of Texas, with 1,646 and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with 1,577. Kasich came in fourth, according to the most recent federal campaign finance filings.
But when it came to raising money, Kasich was king in his home state. He raised about $2.2 million, which was more than double the next candidate: Clinton. She raised $779,000 from Ohio donors. Carson and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, of Florida, each raised more than $300,000 here.
The same was true in the greater Cincinnati area. Kasich and Clinton were the top fundraisers followed by Carson and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who raised his most money in Cincinnati and Cleveland.
Declared 2016 GOP candidate: John Kasich
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"It’s not at all surprising that a candidate would raise the most money from his home state, where his base lies," said Dan Tokaji, an Ohio State University law professor and elections expert.
Kasich's popularity in Ohio — his approval rating was 62% in October — pulled support away from mainstream candidates such as Bush and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, but didn't hamper fundraising for more conservative rivals such as Carson and Rubio, Tokaji said. In primaries, candidates who appeal to the conservative or liberal base get the cash, he added.
Kasich also received a lot of financial support from northern Kentucky.
According to the most recent federal campaign finance filings, northern Kentucky contributors donated almost as much to Kasich ($36,950) as they did to fellow Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul, the U.S. senator from Bowling Green ($41,328).
The high number of donations from northern Kentucky comes despite tensions between Kasich and the area. Kasich has previously insulted legislators there over their opposition to tolls on the Brent Spence Bridge project. He also has publicly stated he was trying to lure companies and jobs from northern Kentucky across the river.
Kasich relying on Ohioans for campaign funds
Rubio collected more money in Ohio than in surrounding Midwest states, in part because of support from Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel and prominent Cleveland car dealer Bernie Moreno.
But some donors weren't sticking with one candidate. For example, the Morenos donated $5,400 to Kasich's campaign despite their support of Rubio. Edward Hatfield, president of River Trading Company, and his family gave $5,400 each to Kasich and Rubio, then donated $2,700 each to Carson and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and $500 to Paul.
"It’s called hedging your bets. People give money not just because they want to influence elections, but because they want the door to be open whoever wins," Tokaji said.
Nearly one-third of Paul's support in Ohio came from the greater Cincinnati area, but his campaign still raised less than $90,000 statewide.
Even business mogul Donald Trump, who is financing his own campaign, raised about $21,000 from some "true believers."
"He hasn’t had a sophisticated fundraising campaign," Tokaji said. But that hasn't hurt the billionaire yet. "He’s very good at generating free media."
Contributing: James Pilcher, The Cincinnati Enquirer