Nearly $800K raised in Ohio Senate race

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

With approximately three months to go until the May 5 primary election and nine months until the November general election, it appears the race for Ohio’s First District Senate seat will be an expensive one.

On Tuesday, Republican State Senate candidate Craig Riedel’s camp announced that, as of the most recent campaign finance filings, his campaign had raised a total of $418,720.

“Danette and I have been humbled by the outpouring of support that our campaign has received from so many hardworking, patriotic northwest Ohioans,” Riedel said in a press release. “Since entering the race last April, we’ve knocked over 11,000 doors, attended countless community events, and raised the funds needed to communicate our message to voters in all 10 counties in this district.”

Meanwhile, a press release issued by Jim Hoops, who is a current state representative and is also seeking the GOP nod for the First District Senate seat, said that his annual campaign finance report shows more than $380,000 cash-on-hand for the race.

“With this report, it’s clear that our campaign is prepared, energized, and ready to win,” Hoops said in a press release. “This level of support allows us to focus on meeting voters where they are and talking about the issues that matter most to Northwest Ohio families.”

Both men touted endorsements from various elected officials, community leaders and organizations.

Riedel served as State Representative for the 82nd Ohio House District from 2017-2022. At the time, the 82 district included Defiance, Paulding and Van Wert counties, along with some of Auglaize County. In 2022 and 2024, he ran for Ohio’s Ninth District Congressional seat. Hoops is serving his fourth and final full term in the Ohio House, He represents the 81st House District, which consists of all of Fulton, Henry and Williams counties and the northern portion of Defiance County.

As of Tuesday afternoon, no Democrats had filed petitions to run for the seat. The filing deadline is 4 p.m. today (Wednesday).

Ohio’s First Senate District includes all of Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert and Williams counties, along with the northern portion of Logan County. The seat is currently held by State Senator and Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, who is unable to seek re-election due to term limits. He’s now the running mate of Republican Vivek Ramaswaney in the race for governor.