NKY pushing presidential campaign money to Kasich
Ohio Gov. John Kasich is getting a lot of financial support for his presidential campaign from an unlikely place - Northern Kentucky.
According to the most recent federal campaign finance filings, Northern Kentucky contributors donated almost as much to Kasich ($36,950) as they did to fellow Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul, the U.S. Senator from Bowling Green ($41,328).
The high number of donations from the area come despite tensions between Kasich and Northern Kentucky. Kasich has previously insulted Northern Kentucky legislators over their opposition to tolls on the Brent Spence Bridge project. He also has publicly stated he was trying to lure companies and jobs from Northern Kentucky across the river.
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"I simply have looked at the candidates and I believe Gov. Kasich has the executive experience and the proven will to address the sorts of challenges we have at the national level," said Pete Strange of Erlanger, who co-founded Elmwood Place-based construction company Messer Construction. "I did not think of this as if I were making a decision between the commonwealth and the state of Ohio.
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"But rather I was making a decision who I wanted to support and who I think is most qualified," said Strange, who has donated $2,700 to Kasich's campaign to date, making him one of the top contributors to the Ohio governor from all of Kentucky.
The Northern Kentucky portion represents most of Kasich's money from the state, as he has only collected $48,750 in Kentucky and trails the other candidates significantly.
Fewer donors give more to Kasich
Paul still has received the most from all of the commonwealth at more than $1.9 million, primarily from the Louisville and Bowling Green areas. Democratic front runner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is second statewide with $92,220 followed by Dr. Ben Carson with more than $84,000. While Paul and Carson received the most individual contributions at 676 and 640 respectively, Kasich got large chunks, with an average of $2,215 per donation.
Clinton also has significant local backing, pulling in $37,354 from Northern Kentucky, slightly more than Kasich. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders from Vermont only collected about $12,000 from Northern Kentucky and more than $32,000 statewide.
"I've long respected the guy. My support is usually the kiss of death for a candidate. I think he has good ideas. He'll have my vote," said information technology consultant Tom Streeter of Burlington, who has donated $258 to Sanders through mid-November.