Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner reported yesterday that she has raised $207,000 for her U.S. Senate bid, an amount dwarfed by her would-be Democratic and Republican rivals.

Brunner's first-quarter fundraising take for 2009 is well below the more than $1 million reported by her Democratic opponent, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, and the more than $1.7 million reported by former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman, the leading Republican candidate for Senate.

"Given the strength of both the Fisher and Portman fundraising numbers, Brunner's showing looks very weak," said Amy Walter, editor of The Hotline, a Washington-based politics chronicle.

Lauren Goode, Fisher campaign political director, said he has more than $1 million in the bank and is prepared for "a spirited and hard-fought campaign ahead."

Brunner said last night she wasn't worried about Fisher's fundraising lead so early in the campaign: "The first turn of the Kentucky Derby doesn't predict who the winner is."

She has a history of picking up fundraising steam as campaigns progress, she said, noting that the average amount of her 497 contributions was $375. With individuals permitted to contribute up to $4,800 to Senate candidates, Brunner said, "I have a lot of donors who have the potential to give again."

One way of fattening her campaign accounts would be to gain an endorsement from Emily's List, a 100,000-member political network that aims to elect women who support abortion rights.

Emily's List sent a staffer to Columbus to assess Brunner's operation and believes she is a "great candidate," but it has not yet decided whether to endorse her, said Jonathan Parker, the organization's political director. Both Brunner and Fisher support abortion rights.

Although her fundraising performance could increase pressure on her from Democrats to run for re-election, some political analysts like her chances of winning the Senate nomination, especially if she is the only woman in a field of several men. Along with Fisher, state Rep. Tyrone Yates of Cincinnati has announced his candidacy.

The same dynamic could be in play on the Republican side. Although Portman reported more than $3 million on hand, state Auditor Mary Taylor said yesterday she would decide in a couple of weeks whether to run for the Senate or re-election next year.

Like Brunner, Taylor could have the advantage of being the only woman in a field with two or more men. Tom Ganley, a Cleveland auto dealer, said yesterday that he will challenge Portman.

Ganley said he soon will hire a campaign manager and then begin raising money. As owner of the largest auto dealership in Ohio, Ganley said he is prepared to spend his own money to beat Portman.

"Let's just say I can afford to run for the U.S. Senate," said Ganley, a first-time candidate motivated to run by "a civic and patriotic duty. I'm very tired of career politicians."

Bob Paduchik, Portman's campaign manager, said: "We're going to work very hard to build the support we need to win a primary and general election, regardless of what somebody else might or might not do."

Also yesterday, U.S. Rep. Zack Space, a Dover Democrat, reported raising more than $410,000 in the first quarter, with almost $589,000 on hand, and freshman Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy, D-Columbus, raked in about $229,000, with $189,000 in the bank.

Meanwhile, five-term GOP Rep. Pat Tiberi of Genoa Township raised nearly $94,000 during the first quarter and had about $503,500 on hand. Freshman GOP Rep. Steve Austria of Beavercreek raised about $100,000 and had more than $65,000 on hand.

jhallett@dispatch.com

jriskind@dispatch.com

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