With Amy Acton opting to not run for U.S. Senate, Rep. Tim Ryan essentially has a clear path to the Democratic Party’s nomination for the position next year.

There is still time for other Democrats to get into the race — Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, and Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce, a former state treasurer, still are considering it.

But Ryan, D-Howland, has momentum and a nice haul of $1.2 million during the first quarter, even though he won’t officially declare his candidacy until later this month.

Avoiding a competitive primary that will cost his campaign money is something Ryan desperately needs because whoever ends up being the Republican nominee almost certainly will raise more money than he does. If Ryan doesn’t have to spend a few million dollars on a primary, he can use that toward his general election campaign.

A big boost to his campaign came earlier this week when Acton, former Ohio Department of Health director and a former Liberty resident, chose not to seek the seat.

Acton had statewide name recognition from her participation in Gov. Mike DeWine’s daily news conferences in the early part of the pandemic, which was watched by many. While Acton had her critics, particularly among conservatives, she remains very popular among Democrats.

She said in February that she was considering a Senate run.

Acton understandably had a difficult time during the pandemic. She was met with harassment, threats and protests outside her home. Anyone would be concerned about that.

It was somewhat surprising that after dealing with such harsh treatment — though, she did it with grace and class while trying to protect people’s health — that she would consider joining the political arena running for a job as high profile as senator. It’s awful that we’ve come to this.

Meanwhile, Ryan has assembled an impressive campaign staff and raised $1.2 million during the first quarter of the year.

Ryan has never been a great fundraiser, but the quarterly number is very strong.

It was the most Ryan had ever collected in a quarter in his 18-plus years in Congress. His previous best quarter was July to September 2020 in which he raised $586,146.

However, what followed shows Ryan is going to struggle to keep up with the Senate seat’s Republican nominee.

A few hours after Ryan’s $1.2 million announcement, Josh Mandel, a Republican who served two terms as state treasurer and unsuccessfully ran in 2012 for the Senate, said he raised $1.3 million in the first seven weeks of his Senate campaign.

Then Jane Timken, former state Republican Party chairwoman seeking public office for the first time, this week said she raised $2.1 million in the first six weeks of her campaign.

U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers, R-Upper Arlington, who may run for Senate said the other day he raised $1.4 million in the first quarter.

The filing deadline for the first three months of this year is next week.

Other potential Republicans seeking the post have deep pockets, wealthy donors pledging millions and / or are proven fundraisers.

There shouldn’t be the expectation that Ryan will match dollar for dollar with the Republican nominee.

But a successful Senate candidate in Ohio likely would need to raise at least $20 million and possibly as high as $50 million.

In the 2018 gubernatorial race, DeWine, a Republican, raised $24 million to $19.5 million for Democrat Richard Cordray. DeWine won by 3.7 percent.

In what seems like a lifetime ago, Portman raised $26.1 million in his 2016 reelection to $10.7 million for Democrat Ted Strickland. Portman crushed Strickland by 21.4 percent.

LINCOLN DAY DINNERS

Lincoln Day dinners for the Republican Parties in Mahoning and Trumbull counties are coming up.

The Mahoning event is going to be a huge event with former U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina and current North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson as the guest speakers. The event is April 16, starting at 6 p.m., at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield.

The event is sold out with 500 expected to attend.

The Trumbull dinner is April 20, starting at 6 p.m., with Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Paduchik as the featured speaker at Dilucia’s Banquet Room in Warren.

Call party headquarters at 234-806-4973 for tickets.