Kaptur outraises challenger in quarter
GOP rival outspends Democratic incumbent
7/17/2012U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) outraised her Republican opponent, Samuel "Joe" Wurzelbacher, in the 9th Congressional District campaign in 2012's second quarter, according to newly filed campaign finance reports.
Aided by contributions from union and corporate political action committees, Miss Kaptur received $129,130 during the second quarter, for a total of $760,020 during the campaign cycle.
Mr. Wurzelbacher reported collecting $95,799 in donations during the second quarter, for a total of $326,626 for the election campaign so far.
However, Mr. Wurzelbacher's campaign spent more heavily during the quarter -- including acquiring more formal business attire for the candidate.
Among Mr. Wurzelbacher's campaign expenditures was $634 for clothing at the Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. men's store.
Wurzelbacher spokesman Phil Christofanelli said Mr. Wurzelbacher did not own a suit and he needed one for campaign appearances.
"There are many events which require this type of attire," he said. He said Mr. Wurzelbacher, who is known as "Joe the Plumber," and whose working clothes are part of his image, bought the clothing at the Bank store in the Westfield Franklin Park mall.
His campaign expenditures totaled $162,908 for the quarter and $311,373 for the election cycle, leaving him with a campaign war chest of $14,372, and debts and obligations of $7,143.
During the quarter, Miss Kaptur spent $47,132, and she reported spending $1.1 million in the overall campaign. Among her spending was a $25,000 contribution to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, presumably to assist Democrats running in more competitive congressional districts. The 9th District, newly redrawn in 2012 to include western Cuyahoga County, has a strong Democratic leaning.
Most of Miss Kaptur's funding was from union and corporate political action committees. Unions representing firefighters, operating engineers, food and commercial workers, letter carriers, teachers, boilermakers, ironworkers, postal workers, sheet-metal workers, bricklayers, and service employees were among contributors in the second quarter.
She finished the quarter, which ended June 30, with $160,713 in campaign cash.
The report also shows Mr. Wurzelbacher continuing to take a monthly salary. Previous reports noted Mr. Wurzelbacher was paid what is identified as a "net salary" of $3,842, after taxes were withheld.
The new report shows two payments of "salary" on May 2 and May 31 at $5,000.
Contact Tom Troy at tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058.