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Three of the state legislators who represent the Mahoning Valley have in excess of $100,000 each in their campaign funds -- including one who can't seek re-election.
State Sen. Michael Rulli, R-Salem, had $123,176 in his campaign fund as of June 30, according to his latest financial report.
Rulli, whose 33rd Senate District includes all of Mahoning and Columbiana counties, was re-elected last year to a second four-year term in the state Senate. Rulli cannot run for another term under state law, but he may run for a different elected office in 2026.
Rulli received $14,500 in contributions, mostly from political action committees, during the first six months of the year. He spent only $177 from his campaign fund between January and June.
With a carryover from previous reporting periods, Rulli had $123,176 in his fund as of June 30.
The two other incumbents with more than $100,000 in their campaign accounts are: state Rep. Nick Santucci, R-Howland, with $103,343; and state Rep. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, with $135,704.
While most Valley legislators relied on PACs for most of the money they raised in the first half of the year, Santucci, who is serving his first term in the House, received most of his money from individuals. Santucci had $5,000 contributions from 13 donors, including some of the most prominent business officials in the area.
Among those giving $5,000 to Santucci, who represents the 64th House District in Trumbull County, were: Sam Covelli, owner and CEO of Covelli Enterprises; Anthony Cafaro Sr., whose family runs the Cafaro Company; Bruce Zoldan, president and CEO of Phantom Fireworks; John Payiavlas, chairman and founder of AVI Foodsystems; John Apostolakis, president of the Apostolakis Auto Group; and Charles T. George, CEO of Triptech Plastics and Hapco Inc.
During the first six months of the year, Santucci raised $106,685 while spending $8,464.
He started the year with $5,122 and had $103,343 in his fund as of June 30.
Cutrona raised $51,430 in contributions during the first half of the year, largely from PACs.
Cutrona spent $28,945 in the first six months of the year with his biggest expenses being $5,962 to Leonard Truck and Trailer of North Jackson for a campaign trailer, $5,500 to the Mahoning County Republican Party and $4,258 to Chris Pascarella of Hubbard for accounting fees.
Cutrona entered the year with a $113,219 surplus in his campaign fund and grew it to $135,704 as of June 30.
Cutrona was elected last year to his second two-year term in the House representing the 58th District in Mahoning County.
State Sen. Sandra O'Brien, whose district includes all of Trumbull County, had $81,751 in her campaign fund as of June 30.
O'Brien, R-Lenox, is up for re-election next year for a second four-year term in the state Senate's 32nd District.
O'Brien raised $34,800 in contributions during the first half of the year including $5,000 each from Covelli and Patrick Preston, who owns a car dealership in Geauga County.
O'Brien spent $4,743 in the first six months of the year. The report filed with the Ohio secretary of state shows an incorrect amount spent of $47,425, but the itemized expenses included with the report show it was 10 percent of that amount.
State Rep. Lauren McNally, D-Youngstown, raised $45,790 during the first half of the year. Almost all of it came from PACs including $10,000 contributions each from the Operating Engineers Local 66 District 2 of Pittsburgh and the Western Reserve Building and Construction Trade Council of Boardman.
McNally spent $16,467 during the first half of the year with her largest expenses being $4,669 to Event Management LLC of Liberty for campaign management and mail services and $2,000 to the Ohio Democratic Party for quarterly dues.
McNally reported $49,362 in her campaign fund as of June 30, which includes money carried over from last year.
McNally is serving her first two-year term representing the 59th House District, which includes parts of Mahoning and Columbiana counties.
State Rep. Mike Loychik, R-Bazetta, was the only Valley legislator to spend more than he raised during the first half of the year.
Loychik raised $8,100 in the first half of the year, with most of it coming from PACs, and spent $21,368.
Loychik's biggest expenses were $6,820 to HP Strategies of Chagrin Falls for marketing and $3,672 to the Hyatt Regency in Bonita Springs, Fla., for "fundraiser-hotel," according to his report.
Loychik's committee brought $28,274 into the year and had $15,006 as of June 30.
Loychik represents the 65th House District, which includes parts of Trumbull and Ashtabula counties, and is serving his second two-year term,
State Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, R-Columbiana, raised $67,094 and spent $29,994 in the first half of the year. Of the money she spent, $25,000 went to the Ohio House Republican Alliance, which raises money for House Republicans.
Robb Blasdel, who is serving her first two-year term representing the 79th House District, had $62,554 in her campaign fund as of June 30, which included a carryover. The district includes most of Columbiana County and all of Carroll County.
dskolnick@vindy.com