By Erica Solvig and John Kiesewetter
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LEBANON - Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel has raised more than five times the amount of her challenger, putting her campaign fund over the $100,000 mark.

And she's not the only one raising big bucks for the Republican primary. In the county's other contested primary race, for Larry Crisenbery's commissioner seat, Mason Councilman John McCurley raised $65,351 - more than the three other candidates combined.

They were among the many primary candidates statewide who filed campaign finance reports Thursday, reflecting their fund-raising efforts through Feb. 11.

Warren County Republican Co-chairman Tom Grossmann said the spending is "unprecedented" for county races.

"I'm preparing for this race like I'm preparing for a felony trial. I don't leave anything for chance," said Hutzel, who's spent more than half of the $105,696 she's raised.

But her opponent, Blue Ash City Prosecutor David Fornshell, who's raised $20,017, says his campaign has been more of a grassroots effort and not as media-focused as Hutzel's.

"It's two different styles of campaigning," Fornshell said. "What it's going to come down to on Election Day is who has spent the most or who has worked the hardest. By far, we've worked the hardest."

Other county commissioner candidates have raised sizeable amounts. Businessman Dave Young has raised $36,066, followed by educator John Lazares at $15,982 and farmer Tom Spellmire at $6,790. Commissioner Pat South, who is running unopposed for her seat, has raised $4,555.

In Butler County, the biggest spender was county Commissioner Michael A. Fox, an incumbent not endorsed for re-election by the Republican Party.

Although he has no opposition in the primary, Fox spent $25,827 of his $34,280 this period. His November opponent, Democrat Catherine Stoker of West Chester, did not file a report.

In the GOP race for Butler County Juvenile Court judge, Greg Stephens has collected $19,511, more than twice the $8,724 raised by incumbent David Niehaus.

Eva Kessler has the cash advantage over Adolf Olivas in the Republican campaign for Butler County Domestic Relations Court judge, $27,790 to $15,248.

Also not filing campaign finance reports in Butler County were legislative candidates Tyrone Sims and Scott Siebel; commission candidate James Lubbers; and 12th District Court of Appeals judicial candidate Suzanne Wynn.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com or jkiesewetter@enquirer.com