Newly released campaign finance reports in the Columbus mayoral race contain no surprises.
Jim Letizia explains.
As expected, Democratic Columbus City Council president Andy Ginther leads the four candidates with more than 1.8 million dollars raised. And as expected, Mayor Michael Coleman's chosen successor is getting most of that money from corporate Columbus. Donors include JPMorgan Chase, Nationwide Insurance, Huntington Bank, developer Michael Glimcher, and the owners of Donatos Pizza. Many of those donors have had legislation before Council in recent years. Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott, who is also running as a Democrat, has raised nearly 400 thousand dollars. His donors include the Columbus Fraternal Order of Police, developer George Skestos, small business owners, and friends and family. Democrat James Ragland has raised 52 thousand dollars, with most of that coming from one individual supporter. Republican Terry Boyd has raised nearly 53 hundred dollars. The top two vote-getters in the non-partisan May 5 primary will move on to the general election in November.
