Posted by Mark Naymik
on January 4, 2008, 11:01 pm
24.165.161.167
In the short sprint to become the next Cleveland Congressman, Joe Cimperman has banked $226,000 for his campaign, which he launched one month ago.
One of four Democrats seeking the 10th Congressional District seat held by fellow
Democrat Dennis Kucinich, Cimperman raised far more money than any other primary candidate in the race.
The four announced candidates voluntarily shared their fund-raising totals, which can be verified when the candidates file finance reports at the end of the month.
Cimperman, a Cleveland councilman who represents downtown, benefited from connections he's made with developers and businessman.
"Absolutely," he responded when asked if any contributed $2,300, the maximum allowed by law. "We had people give 25 bucks to those who maxed out."
Though Kucinich, who has been running for president for the last year, has not said if he will seek a seventh term in Congress, he is preparing to fight for it.
He has scheduled a re-election campaign kick-off for Wednesday at the North Shore AFL-CIO Federation headquarters in Cleveland. And he's told the City Club of Cleveland that he plans to participate its primary debate. In past re-election races, Kucinich has refused to share the stage with lesser known candidates.
Kucinich has not yet filed to be on the Democratic congressional or presidential primary ballot in Ohio, but his paperwork is expected to be filed for both by today's 4 p.m. deadline.
Ohio's primary is March 4, two months earlier than in non-presidential years. As a result, candidates have an unusually small window after the holidays to make their case before voters, so early fund-raising is critical.
Anti-war activist and former teacher and journalist Rosemary Palmer has been campaigning since last summer and raised a total of about $130,000, said spokesman Anthony Fossaceca.
Barbara Ferris, a former Peace Corps and United Nations worker crushed by Kucinich in the 2006 primary, raised about $35,000, said spokeswoman Barbara Ragon.
North Olmsted Mayor Tom O'Grady, who also announced one month ago, said he's raised $30,000.
Kucinich, according to his October finance report, raised just $40 for the re-election. He could not be reached for comment.
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