As the Ohio primary draws nearer, “Retread” Ted Strickland’s struggle to secure his Party’s nomination against P.G. Sittenfeld was highlighted by The Hill.
Most notably, Strickland is burning through campaign cash, “His pre-primary report to the FEC shows he raised $480,000 and spent $477,000 in the first two months of this year. He has $2 million cash on hand, far less than the $13 million Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) has stockpiled."
Strickland has also been losing the earned media battle. After countless editorials chastised Strickland for not debating Sittenfeld and participating in the democratic process, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Akron Beacon Journal, and Elyria Chronicle-Telegram all endorsed Sittenfeld.
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Anti-establishment mood roils Senate Democratic primaries
The Hill
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The media’s fixation on Trump has overshadowed surprisingly competitive Senate Democratic primaries in key states such as North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
In North Carolina and Ohio, the establishment-backed Democrats are up in the polls but spending heavily ahead of the March 15 primaries. They’re expected to win, but they’ll enter the general election with considerably less cash on hand than their Republican opponents.
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In Ohio, former Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland may limp into the general election after a tougher-than-expected battle with PG Sittenfeld, a fresh-faced 31-year-old Cincinnati city councilman who is promising new leadership and bold ideas.
Sittenfeld has the backing of former Democratic Gov. Dick Celeste and a super-PAC, New Leadership for Ohio, that last month launched three television ads attacking Strickland for flip-flopping on gun control, wavering on abortion and questioning his vitality.
Internal polling shows Strickland comfortably ahead, but he’s spending a lot of campaign cash. His pre-primary report to the FEC shows he raised $480,000 and spent $477,000 in the first two months of this year. He has $2 million cash on hand, far less than the $13 million Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) has stockpiled.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Akron Beacon Journal this past week endorsed Sittenfeld.
President Obama and Vice President Biden have swooped in to help Strickland. They both endorsed him Wednesday, and Biden will host a fundraiser for him in Cincinnati on March 22.
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