Republican State Officials Have Cash Reserves For 2014 Elections

The Republicans at the head of state government say they hope to remain on the job after 2014. The governor, state auditor, treasurer, attorney general and secretary of state have all indicated they plan to run again. And they have significant campaign cash on hand already. According to campaign finance reports filed Thursday,  Governor John Kasich has $2.1 million in the bank ahead of his 2014 re-election bid. The Republican governor has raised $2.7 million dollars over the past two years, and spent about $244,000 in the last six months, while raising nearly $904,000. While no challengers have officially entered the gubernatorial race, the names being bandied about include Democrats like Cuyahoga County Executive Ed Fitzgerald, US Representative Tim Ryan, and former Representative Betty Sutton. Other statewide Republican officials putting away cash for likely re-election bids next year include Secretary of State Jon Husted (HYOO'-sted), who ended 2012 with more than $1 million in the bank. Attorney General Mike DeWine, who reported $675,000 on hand, and auditor Dave Yost with just under $350,000. Treasurer Josh Mandel (man-DEHL') reported just $219 on hand after raising millions in an unsuccessful challenge to U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown last year.