A good government group is highlighting an email shared among Gov. Mike DeWine’s fundraising staff as a reason to require more campaign finance disclosures – specifically for lobbyists.
Catherine Turcer of Common Cause Ohio says the 2019 email about a weekly call for DeWine’s fundraising team included eight registered lobbyists representing 124 clients. Nearly all had ties to energy companies or sports betting.
Turcer says nearly half a million dollars was raised for DeWine through events listed in just this one email.
“What is really clear is big donors and strong lobbyists are able to get significant benefits for their clients," Turcer says.
Turcer says candidates know who’s raising money for them, so voters should too. She says lobbyists should be required to reveal any support and coordination they provide in fundraising activities in reports filed with Ohio’s Legislative Inspector General.
