Ohio retailers are also major energy users. From January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2007, the Ohio Council of Retail Marketers contributed $44,700 to members of the Ohio General Assembly. Members of the COMPETE Coalition and signatories of a letter to Governor Strickland promoting electric competition contributed $30,500 to all the members of the General Assembly. All told, $35,000 went to the Ohio House and $40,200 to the Senate, for a total of $75,200 to the General Assembly.

COMPETE is a national coalition that promotes competitive electricity markets. Signatories to a September 27, 2007 advocating competition include the following: 7-Eleven, Best Buy, J.C. Penney, Kohl's, Macy's, Medline, Minshall Stewart Properties, PetSmart, Staples, University Manors, and Wal-Mart.

January 1, 2005-June 30, 2007 Contributions to Ohio Statewide Officeholders, Ohio House and Senate, and Ohio Democratic and Republican Parties from the COMPETE Coalition and the Ohio Council of Retail Marketers*

Ohio Senate	$40,200
Ohio House of Representatives	$35,000
Statewide Officeholders	$23,405
Ohio Republican Party	$13,300
Ohio Democratic Party	$875
Total	$112,780

*Totals include monetary and in-kind contributions from employees and political action committees affiliated with the COMPETE Coalition (specifically, Best Buy, Macy's, PetSmart, and Wal-Mart) and the Ohio Council of Retail Marketers.

For in-depth retail contribution information, see the Appendices.