The Ohio Republican Party has shelled out $870,968 to Gov. Mike DeWine’s reelection campaign since January 1, 2021, despite his two primary challengers for the nomination.
Filings by the Ohio Republican Party Central Committee State Candidate Fund with the campaign finance division of Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office show the party gave DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted a $500,000 payment towards their 2022 reelection campaigns on July 30 without the fiscal review committee’s approval, the Ohio Star reports.
The filings also show the party paid another $370,968 to the DeWine/Husted campaign for expenses, including payroll, taxes, consulting and accounting services, credit cards and fundraising expenses.
These generous donations raise concerns about the financial integrity of the party’s accounting practices, as they were not approved through the fiscal review committee as required by law.
Is the party already picking winners and losers?
