Foley’s reelection bid followed his July indictment for charges related to alleged improper political activity; he has maintained his innocence throughout the state investigation of his office. Foley’s victory also follows calls from both Democrat and Republican leaders for him to resign from office, as well as an Ohio Supreme Court committee decision for Foley to keep his seat.
“Clerk Foley is proud of the hard-working employees in his office and the many services he has implemented in addition to all of his supporters who contributed to his campaign,” Dan Edwards, communications director for the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts.
Political candidates and issue campaigns must file records of campaign fundraising and spending with their respective boards of election.
Candidates racing for county and city seats in general elections have two reporting deadlines: for the Nov. 5 election, candidates were required to file reports on their financial activity by Oct. 24 and Dec. 13, 2024. The pre-election report shows a candidate’s donations and expenses through Oct. 16, 2024, while the post-election filing represents donations and expenses from Oct. 17 to Dec. 6, 2024.
Montgomery County Board of Elections documents show that locally, fundraising was highest for Friends for Foley, which reported more than $45,094 in campaign contributions from June through December. Pre-election documents also show more than $106,000 in expenses reported by the campaign, with an additional $55,245 reported in post-election documents.
These expenses included $30,000 in loan reimbursements to Foley, according to records.
“The financial investment from numerous people, including himself, is a testament to the validity of Clerk Foley’s leadership and the desire to see his vision continue to positively impact the citizens of Montgomery County,” said Edwards.
This compares to $27,013 in contributions and $49,008 in expenses reported for the Committee to Elect Lynn Cooper. No post-election documents were available for Cooper, who told the newspaper they will be filed in the coming days, along with a small amendment to pre-election documents.
Top expenses for Foley’s campaign included $61,753 to the political advertising firm Majority Strategies for direct mail costs. Other expenses included more than $30,000 in a collection of advertising-related costs, and additional money went toward event coordination and campaign literature.
Friends for Foley’s top donors for the general election were James Piergies — who pleaded not guilty alongside Foley this summer and donated $2,500 to his campaign — and Lake Pittman, who is listed as an Indiana resident in finance records.
Several of Foley’s employees also donated less than $1,000 to the campaign. Donations from staff reported in campaign finance documents made up 14% of Foley’s total campaign contributions from June onward.
Cooper’s campaign saw donations of more than $1,000 from donors like Matriots and local attorneys Michael Wright and Doug Mann.
“I’m really grateful for the support of so many people,” Cooper said.
Kettering Municipal Clerk of Courts and former Montgomery County Republican Party chairperson Rob Scott, who donated to Foley and other Republican candidates this year, said Foley had a well-organized campaign and has added multiple programs to the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts office.
“He raised money from all different sectors,” Scott said. “He put in the work. And if you put in the work, typically the money follows. I feel as clerk, he’s doing a great job. There are not many of the clerks in Ohio who have done what he’s done.”
Other notable races
Multiple county offices saw contested races in the Nov. 5 general election. Scott said county commission races typically see higher donations and spending in Montgomery County. This election went against that trend.
The race for Montgomery County treasurer saw Republican incumbent John McManus defeat Democratic challenger Mohamed Al-Hamdani. McManus’s campaign raised $22,500 and reported expenses of nearly $53,000. Al-Hamdani’s campaign reported nearly $30,000 in campaign contributions and more than $45,000 in expenses, according to finance records.
Democratic incumbent Debbie Lieberman’s campaign raised $34,430, according to pre-election finance reports. Her campaign reported $26,331 in expenses in pre-election documents and no expenses or contributions in post-election records.
Her Republican challenger Mary McDonald, who narrowly won the race this fall, had more than $7,000 reported as contributions for both reporting cycles. McDonald’s campaign reported more than $15,000 in expenses over the two reporting windows.
The other contested commission race, which featured Democrat incumbent Judy Dodge and Republican challenger Kate Baker, saw smaller expenses and contributions. Dodge’s campaign raised more than $21,000 and reported $25,000 in expenses. Baker’s campaign reported more than $23,000 in contributions and roughly $23,000 in expenses. Dodge retained her seat in this race.
The Montgomery County recorder’s race also saw a Republican challenger defeat a Democratic incumbent, with Lori Kennedy taking home the majority of votes. Kennedy’s campaign reported less than $7,000 in campaign contributions from June onward, and roughly $8,600 in expenses. Benson-Taylor’s campaign raised nearly $28,000 with $29,000 in reported expenses.
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