In the Ohio House of Representatives, Democrats have opened a massive fundraising lead heading into the 2010 elections:

In the state Legislature, House Republicans celebrated their fundraising figures, with more than $1 million in campaign contributions. The once-dominant GOP now holds 46 of 99 House seats, and hopes to win back the majority it lost in 2006. [sic]

House Democrats amassed more than twice as much during the period, however, raising $2.2 million. And caucus funds and the campaign committees of House leaders combined showed House Democrats raised nearly $3.8 million, compared to $1.4 million for House Republicans.

Congressional districts are drawn exclusively by the Ohio Legislature. Democrats narrowly won the State House in 2008, and by holding that chamber, Democrats can prevent yet another unfair congressional map. It's also, of course, the only way we can be sure that a Democratic policy agenda gets traction in the state.

Additionally, while DLCC doesn’t involve itself in statewide elections, we do keep tabs on races that affect redistricting. Three statewide officials also sit on Ohio’s legislative Apportionment Board, which draws State House and Senate districts, and Democrats have a healthy early fundraising edge in two of those races as well:

• Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland out-raised likely Republican nominee John Kasich $2.5 million to $516,000, leaving Strickland with a nearly 9-1 advantage in cash on hand.

• Republican State Auditor Mary Taylor was out-raised 3-to-1 by Democratic challenger and Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper. Pepper raised nearly $317,000, while Taylor brought in only $107,900.
• In the race for Secretary of State (replacing Democrat Jennifer Brunner), Republican John Husted out-raised Democrat and Franklin County Commissioner Marilyn Brown by roughly $804,000 to $154,000.

If Democrats succeed in holding two of these statewide offices, they can take a majority on the Apportionment Board by successfully holding the State House. Then the Republicans’ gerrymander of state legislative seats can be abolished as well.