BY MICHAEL HAWTHORNE
Enquirer Columbus Bureau
COLUMBUS -- Toledo businessman Bruce Douglas is expected to announce today that he is ending his self- financed bid for the Democratic nomination for governor.
Mr. Douglas will make a "major announcement" at a Columbus press conference, according to a statement issued by his campaign. Sources told the Enquirer Mr. Douglas would withdraw.
Opinion polls show the self-made millionaire trails far behind his primary opponent, former Attorney General Lee Fisher.
Although Mr. Douglas once vowed to "spend what it takes" to win, his anticipated blitz of TV ads never appeared. He gave his campaign $800,000 in 1997, but reported only $15,000 in contributions between Jan. 1 and March 15.
Despite a smattering of campaign commercials and a pricey mailing sent to Democratic voters, Mr. Douglas did not appear to be connecting with the electorate.
It's time to go if . . .
For instance, during a March 24 speech to a group of educators in Columbus, Mr. Douglas elicited hearty applause after uttering the phrase, "Now let me close my remarks . . ."
Mr. Douglas had counted on teachers and other education supporters to energize his campaign, which centered on a 1.5-cent sales tax increase and higher cigarette taxes. The proceeds would have been used to cut property taxes and finance school reforms such as smaller classes and all-day kindergarten.
He called a less sweeping one-cent sales tax increase for schools and property tax relief "a fraud." Mr. Fisher and the state's top Republicans support the rival plan.
The race apparently boiled down to Mr. Fisher's more traditional method of attracting groups influential in Democratic primary campaigns, such as the AFL-CIO.
While Mr. Douglas' exit from the race would give Mr. Fisher a clear shot at Secretary of State Bob Taft, the Republican nominee for governor, it also would create an accounting dilemma.
Because Mr. Fisher faced a self-financed primary opponent, state law allowed him to raise money in excess of a $2,500 limit on individual contributions. Once Mr. Douglas drops out, state law requires Mr. Fisher to give back the money or contribute it to charities. Between Jan. 13 and March 15, Mr. Fisher raised $770,141 in contributions that exceeded $2,500, according to reports filed with the secretary of state's office.
Some of that money likely was used to finance Mr. Fisher's first TV commercial, which is scheduled to begin airing statewide today.
