KEY RACE: Battlegrounds for Concealed Carry Reform defined by campaign spending

Ohio House Republicans have spent themselves into a deficit with a $4.8 million blitz in an attempt to hold their 59-40, pro-Concealed Carry Reform edge. Their Democratic counterparts still have $581,893 to unload before the Nov. 5 election on anti-Reform campaigns.

House Minority Leader Greg L. DiDonato of New Philadelphia said at least $700,000 would be spent in trying to unseat Republican Sens. Rep. Kevin J. Coughlin, of Cuyahoga Falls and Jeffry J. Armbruster of North Ridgeville. Their opponents, Tom Bevan and Sue Morano, already have received $100,000 apiece from the Democratic caucus.

Rep. Linda Reidelbach, Worthington Hills Republican, received $37,216 in mailings from the caucus, and David A. Dobos, the GOP candidate on the West Side, received $27,809 in mailings. Both races are tight.

House Democrats contributed $25,000 to the campaign of West Side labor leader Dan Stewart, Dobos' opponent in the 25th District of Franklin County. Lori Tyack, Reidelbach's opponent, received $2,000 from the caucus.

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