O'Neill Breaks OH-14 Record for
First-Time Candidate
Once taking 'no money from nobody,' former appellate judge breaks six figures
CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio (10/1/2007) - Former Appeals Court Judge Bill O'Neill will set a new record for first-time candidates in Ohio's 14th congressional district when his campaign files its report with the Federal Elections Commission this month.
The campaign will report that it has raised more than $100,000, which is the district's all-time first-quarter best for a first-time candidate, topping even the incumbent Rep. Steven LaTourette. The figure is also more than double the combined amount raised in first quarters by Democratic challengers in the past two cycles.
"This shows that people in Northeast Ohio aren't just eager for change, but also that they are willing to put their money behind Bill O'Neill to create that change," said campaign manager Toby Fallsgraff. "Most importantly it casts aside any doubt that Bill O'Neill can raise the kind of money needed to win in a competitive congressional race."
O'Neill built his judicial career on the mantra that "money and judges don't mix" and refused to take any contributions when he ran for Ohio Supreme Court in 2006. When he stepped down from the Ohio Court of Appeals in June to announce his candidacy for Congress, O'Neill said that he planned to aggressively raise funds.
National Democrats have already indicated that the 14th district is one of five seats in Ohio where they expect strong challenges to incumbent Republicans, and last week Congressional Quarterly included the seat in its list of the 50 "most competitive House districts."
The campaign will release exact finance numbers once it has finalized its report.
CONTACT:
* Toby Fallsgraff, 440-247-7340, toby-AT-oneill08.com