Romney edges Obama in local donations

DAYTON, Ohio (Dayton Business Journal) - The Dayton region has kicked in more to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign than any other, including current President Barack Obama.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, which posted recently released campaign finance information, Romney has raised $33,250 from donors in the Dayton metropolitan area for the 2012 presidential election compared to $30,692 raised by Obama.

Local donors also have donated to GOP hopefuls Ron Paul ($23,519) and Newt Gingrich ($18,350). And while Rick Santorum’s campaign is surging, the sweater vest-clad former senator only managed to pry $1,000 from Dayton pocketbooks as of the end of December.

Paul Leonard, a political science instructor at Wright State University, said the economy is still the dominant issue in this election, but that could change by fall.

If economy continues to gain momentum, Leonard sees the Republican party shifting its agenda toward traditional social, or “wedge,” issues. Or if military action is needed to deal with Iran, he expects that would probably become the dominant issue.

“I’m not sure we know yet which is going to be the issue the victorious candidate is going to ride across the finish line,” said Leonard, the former state representative, Dayton Mayor and Ohio Lt. Governor. “I just sense that there’s a broader agenda out there that could creep into the presidential race, and that always affects donations, both how much and where the money comes from.”

Gingrich is the only candidate still running that has made a stop in the region.

On Feb. 7, Gingrich told hundreds of supporters at Memorial Hall in downtown Dayton that Romney may raise more money, but he’s a stronger conservative candidate with more “people” power to attract voters to the polls.

At the rally, Gingrich also took a jab at President Barack Obama for touting the recent drop in unemployment, citing the large numbers of people no longer looking for work but not included in the statistic.

“Barack Obama has led the largest decline in workforce participation in American history,” he said.

Across Ohio, Obama leads fundraising for this year’s presidential race with $632,217, following by Romney ($547,888), Paul ($242,291), Gingrich ($123,080) and Santorum ($13,700).

Obama also leads the national race for campaign dollars with $125 million raised, more than double the $56 million donors have given to Romney. Nationally, Paul has raised nearly $30 million while Gingrich has raised $12.6 million and Santorum has barely topped $2 million from donors.

“As I’ve watched the candidates over the last couple of days get geared up on ‘wedge’ issues in the wake of favorable economic news, that tells me that the economy (as an issue) may be losing just a little steam,” Leonard said. “But I think the desire to beat Barack Obama is going to be the issue that drives Republican voters regardless of what happens to the economy or anything else.”