Lobbyists, lawyers lead the way

The Associated Press
3/18/02 5:28 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Lobbyists and lawyers gave $3.95 million to candidates in 1999 and 2000 statewide and legislative races, the largest source of campaign cash among Ohio special interest groups, a study released Monday found.

The analysis from the Citizens Policy Center, an affiliate of Ohio Citizen Action, found that contributions totaled $70.57 million for all statewide and legislative candidates, their campaign committees and the Legislative caucus committees.

Of that total, $24.88 million went directly to candidates' campaign committee, the study found.

After lobbyists and lawyers, financial, real estate and insurance interests were the most generous, giving $3.28 million to the candidate committees. Manufacturers and other businesses gave $2.30 million, and labor groups kicked in $2.08 million.

Among the legislative caucuses, which help fund the campaigns for state senators and representatives, the leading contributors depended on which party was receiving.

Labor political action committees gave $97,084 to Senate Democrats and $93,000 to House Democrats. Financial and insurance interests gave $373,650 to Senate Republicans and $285,822 to House Republicans.

The 2000 elections gave Republicans a 21-12 edge in the Senate and a 59-40 advantage in the House.

The report did not include millions of dollars given to parties' operating funds and to outside interest groups that do not have to disclose either the amounts of their donations or the identity of their donors.

Catherine Turcer, the center's campaign finance reform director, renewed a call for disclosure of all contributions. She said candidates and officeholders also have demanded full disclosure, but she noted that state campaign finance laws have not been overhauled since 1995.

"It's hard to believe people who say they're for disclosure but don't actively work for it," Turcer said.

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On the Net:

Ohio Citizen Action: http://www.ohiocitizenaction.org/