Underdogs Stand Firm In Ohio Race For US Senate

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Though the two party front-runners in a U.S. Senate race in Ohio have reported millions more in fundraising, their underdog challengers say they're not getting out anytime soon.

Republicans are seeking to retain the seat that veteran U.S. Sen. George Voinovich plans to vacate in 2010, and Democrats, still buoyed by their 2006 successes, see opportunity in the open seat. The GOP's chosen candidate, former congressman Rob Portman, reported raising another $1.3 million in the third quarter, taking his total in the bank to more than $5.1 million.

Democratic Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, endorsed by Gov. Ted Strickland, reported raising $620,000 for the quarter, taking his total on hand to $1.6 million.

Neither of their opponents for their party's nomination volunteered their fundraising totals, which were due this week to the Federal Elections Commission and not yet posted online.

Republican Tom Ganley, a Cleveland car dealer, had already said he expects his campaign to be largely self-funded. A representative, Joseph Rice, said Friday that Ganley may invest as much as $7 million of his own money.

A recent analysis of Ganley's state financial disclosure forms by The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer found the private companies he owns are worth between $44 million and $214 million. His businesses include car dealerships, insurance, finance and real estate. "He's not dropping out," Rice said matter-of-factly. "Why would he?"

Portman's party backing is expected to make Ganley less of a threat in that race than Democratic Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is on the Democratic side. Both she and Fisher are high-profile state officeholders and the party has officially remained neutral. Brunner is expected to have less than $700,000 in the bank when she reports her third quarter totals, which is less than Fisher's - but she insists she is making up for the money lag through aggressive campaigning. Messages were left at her campaign and state offices Friday seeking comment and further details. She told The Columbus Dispatch earlier in the week that she "will see this thing through to the end."

In a September poll by Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, the complexity of the contest for Democrats was apparent. Of registered Democrats, 26 percent supported Fisher and 17 percent supported Brunner. Fifty-five percent were undecided. The margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent rendered the race virtually even. And both Fisher and Brunner polled ahead of Portman, despite his fundraising advantage, in imaginary match-ups. The phone survey, taken between Sept. 10 and Sept. 13, included 1,074 registered voters.

Brunner has hinted she will make a bigger issue in the coming months of her gender, noting in a recent campaign statement that Ohio has yet to send a female to either the governor's office or the Senate. She was endorsed by the influential EMILY's List during her 2006 bid for secretary of state, which backs pro-choice women Democrats. But the organization has been silent thus far in the Ohio Senate race.

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