Republicans Take Care of Themeselves

From the Dispatch

Laid end-to-end, every dollar that Ohio House Republicans have given to their caucus campaign fund since 2003 would stretch from Columbus to Wichita, Kan.

For House Democrats, the trail would end in Dayton.

Stressing that all Republicans benefit when the party holds strong majorities, GOP lawmakers have been pushed hard to not only raise enough money for their own races but also to raise extra cash for the caucus.

A caucus is a group of all lawmakers of the same party from the same legislative chamber. Both branches of the legislature have them, so Ohio has four.

Most expect Republicans to raise more money. They have more members in the House (60-39) and Senate (22-11), chair every committee, and run in GOP-drawn districts that nearly guarantee continued success.

Lobbyists and special interest groups give more money to lawmakers who have power. But some are still surprised by the size of the disparity between the two parties.

Since 2003, current House Republicans have given more than $8.1 million to their caucus, nearly 11 times what Democrats have donated to theirs. In the Senate, Republicans have given their caucus $4.9 million, 15 times what Democrats have raised.