O’Neill Ends 2007 with Big Head Start
More than $100k on-hand and 614 donors put former appeals judge
in best position yet for any LaTourette challenger
CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio (January 30, 2008) – Democratic congressional candidate Bill O’Neill (OH-14) will report to the Federal Elections Commission tomorrow that his campaign had more than $100,000 on-hand at the end of 2007, adding to what had been a record-setting first-quarter and putting the former appellate judge in position to compete with Steve LaTourette.
The campaign will report that it raised more than $170,000 in 2007 – $70,000 of which came in the year’s fourth quarter, with an average donation of about $250. The campaign will also report that it has already reached a total of 614 donors – more than all of LaTourette’s Democratic challengers since 2000 combined! O’Neill is off to an auspicious start, as no challenger in that time had raised more than $14,000 in the year before the election.
“What’s impressive is that so many people have chipped in before we even changed the calendars to 2008,” said O’Neill. “It’s indicative of a groundswell that’s occurring in Northeast Ohio and across the country. Voters want change in Washington, and they know they can’t do that unless they change the people they send there.”
“The year-end reports are really the first primary of the year,” Toby Fallsgraff, O’Neill’s campaign manager added. “Our broad donor base and our strong cash-on-hand numbers show that we have won that race overwhelmingly. Support for Bill’s message of change is resonating in every part of the district, and people are supporting us with their time, their work, their prayers, and their pocketbooks. We couldn’t be happier.”
Fallsgraff also pointed out that O’Neill is likely to be the most formidable challenger LaTourette has ever faced. “We’re on pace to be Steve LaTourette’s best-positioned challenger in many cycles – and probably ever,” he added.
This individual-based fundraising approach is in direct contrast to LaTourette’s approach; LaTourette reported only 175 contributions from individuals, while nearly 60 percent of his campaign funds have come from political action committees.
With this six month “head start,” O’Neill has garnered attention from national Democrats. In December, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen specifically named OH-14 as one of the top challenger races in the country.
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