Well, so far it’s a total $770,189 warchest in hand for U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township, as he waits to see which one of three Democrats will be nominated in May to run vs. him in November.

As of the watchdog Federal Elections Commission’s campaign disclosure deadline on Thursday (April 15), that’s how it was in noontime check on LaTourette’s District 14.

At that time, nothing was seen for Democrat Bill O’Neill, who’s run before. But he said he started raising money only three weeks ago and has about $13,000. What about Democrats Mel Blanchard and John Greene Jr., who’ve both also run before for the LaTourette seat but not raised much money?


Downstate, Ohio does have some reruns for U.S. House seat. Watch the other three Steves.

In the Cincinnati area District 1, Democrat U.S. Rep. Steve Driehaus raised $869,134 to prevail in a contested primary to be nominated to face a challenge from Republican Steve Chabot, whom Driehaus ousted.
Chabot has raised $704,669 with no fellow Republican challenging him.

In Columbus area District 15, Democrat U.S. Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy hit the $1 million mark. Former state Sen. Steve Stivers, who’s raised $561,416.

In Beavercreek area District 7, it’s GOP U.S. Rep., yes, Steve Austria ($438,548) way over a fellow Republican challenger. It’s also more than the respective $0, $22 and $0 for three Democrats in a primary.

So far it looks like a November faceoff for LaTourette/O’Neill, Driehaus/Chabot, Kilroy/Stiver, and Austria vs who?

Hmm. Any chance of LaTourette contributing a bit of money to his most challenged fellow Republicans, not only in the congressional races but in the Northeast Ohio contests?

-- David W. Jones, DJones@News-Herald.com