PR: Steve Black Reports Cash Advantage over Incumbent Schmidt
CINCINNATI – JULY 16 – On Friday, Cincinnati lawyer and now Democratic Candidate for Congress Steve Black submitted his first quarterly Federal Election Commission (FEC) Report since his entrance into the Second District race on May 17th. He reported cash on hand of $208,514.
As a first time Congressional candidate, Steve Black has proven that his message of change and hope is resonating with voters and donors across southern Ohio and that he will do what it takes to run an aggressive, winning campaign.
Steve Black not only matched his primary opponent, Vic Wulsin, but he also has far more cash on hand than incumbent Representative Jean Schmidt. Black’s cash-on-hand advantage over Schmidt is virtually unheard of in congressional politics – he leads the troubled incumbent by a margin of 2.5:1. What makes Black’s total even more impressive is that Black has yet to hold his first campaign fundraiser.
“I am very serious about this race. I will do what it takes to win and to change the direction of our country. My supporters understand the urgency of this race.” says Steve Black. “The people of southern Ohio are eager for change and eager to support a Democrat who can win in 2008,” he added.
What makes Black’s fundraising numbers so impressive is that he has just begun to scratch the surface of his potential support. “This represents just the beginning of Steve Black’s fundraising efforts,” says Kimberly Wood of Kimberly Wood & Associates, an Ohio fundraising company and consultant for Steve Black. Kimberly Wood was the Ohio Finance Director for Sherrod Brown’s successful U.S. Senate campaign in 2006.
Wood continued, “Steve Black has the ability to raise the kind of money it will take to win this race. It is also clear that Steve has the support of his community. More than 70 percent of his funds came from the Greater Cincinnati area.”
Steve Black’s demand for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq -- and plan for affordable and accessible health care for all Americans, including a way to pay for it, and focus on improving the prosperity of Americans by stopping the export of American jobs overseas – excites Southern Ohioans who are eager for new representation not financed by special interest groups.
“Steve Black is doing all the right things,” says campaign manager, Mary Huttlinger, “He is out meeting with people and sharing his plans and vision for Southern Ohio. Voters are excited about Steve Black - they know he will make a great Congressman for Southern Ohio.”
A life-long Southern Ohioan, Steve Black has worked in a leadership role for many local non-profits, including the Children’s Home of Cincinnati, the Global Center of Greater Cincinnati, and others. He is married to Susan Black, a social worker, and has three grown children.
