Tuesday, February 01, 2000
Holcomb campaign fund 18 times Piper's
BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — In a year's time, the Butler County prosecutor has raised more money from his own employees than his political opponent has gathered from all other sources.
Prosecutor John F. Holcomb's campaign kitty is almost 18 times fatter than that of challenger Robin Piper, a former assistant prosecutor, according to 1999 campaign finance reports filed Monday with the county's Board of Elections.
The Prosecutor John Holcomb Committee's balance on hand is $162,453, of which $47,878 came from employees' contributions last year — a fund-raising source that is outlawed for state officeholders but remains legal although controversial for county-level politicians such as Mr. Holcomb.
“There's no requirement that anyone gives,” Mr. Holcomb said Monday, disputing ex-employees' claims that they were expected to contribute 2 percent of their salaries. In fact, Mr. Holcomb, whose annual salary is about $93,000, personally gave nothing to his own campaign fund, the 1999
report says.
“It seems to be a slap in the face to his own staff, that the person who makes the most money of all doesn't give anything,” Mr. Piper said.
In contrast, Mr. Piper was the largest contributor to his own campaign fund. He gave more than $14,000 to the Piper for Prosecutor committee, including a $1,000 loan and more than $11,000 for TV commercials.
Mr. Piper's committee reported an ending balance of $9,171.
“I'm not going to be intimidated by the fact that he has all the money and I have very little,” said Mr. Piper, a Republican who is challenging his Democratic ex-boss in the November election. “One way that he has scared off other political opponents is that, with his "2 Percent Club,' he has more money than anyone could ever hope to raise.”
Before expenditures, Mr. Piper's fund reached $25,443; Mr. Holcomb's hit $219,916.
One of the largest expenditures from Mr. Holcomb's fund was $15,000 for political consultants: $10,000 to Bob Long of Hamilton and $5,000 to Scott Seidewitz of Cincinnati.
Mr. Holcomb said he had not seen Mr. Piper's report but said he would bet it included numerous high-rollers who contributed more than $1,000 apiece. Jane A. Fitch of Fairfield gave a total of $5,000; more than a dozen others contributed $1,000 apiece.
Mr. Holcomb says he does not seek such large contributions “because there's always something (expected) in return. That's my reason for doing it my way.”
About 10 employees among his staff of more than 70 made no regular contributions to the campaign fund last year.
However, among those who did contribute, the average contribution was $725.
Chief acknowledges racial profiling
Deal revives deck for Fort Washington Way
Maynard leaving zoo
Zoo restores macaws to native range in Trinidad
Skeletons in the American family closet
Ohio EPA under federal review
Sheppard on trial again - 46 years later
Mount St. Joseph students get PCs
Warmer air moving in
Leis likely to run unopposed
NKU buys supermarket for expansion
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Tall Stacks declared financial success
Ex-Talking Head offers new look
GET TO IT
Getting married? Be in our 'Love Story'
Jeff Marks makes more mayhem
'Nova' builds case for ancient engineering marvels
AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
Cable firm likes tax revamp
Cease-fire asked in Mason-Deerfield
Councilman charged with DUI after crash
DeWine, GOP groups report millions
Fairfield replaces outmoded firehouse
Felicity fire started in bedroom
Holcomb campaign fund 18 times Piper's
Kings High reconsiders class schedule
McConnell denies targeting first lady
Middleton joins Kenton prosecutor's office
Newport to change sign rules
Norwood ex-chief retires with deal for $130,000
Officer who shot driver questioned
On second look, candidate passes test
Sheriff wants jail to include tribute to fallen officers
Stealth candidate a GOP mystery
Tear gas flushes man out after standoff
TRISTATE DIGEST
