Fred Dailey

U.S. Rep. Zack Space (D-Dover) has more than 11 times as much cash on hand than Fred Dailey (R-Mt. Vernon) and the 18th Congressional District race isn't listed as competitive by many national observers.

But that didn't prevent Space from launching an attack ad against Dailey -- who isn't even on television himself. 

The 30-second ad was seen by PolitickerOH.com during the 8:00 hour on a Columbus station. It attacks Dailey for supporting NAFTA and American jobs.

U.S. Rep. Zack Space: WikipediaU.S. Rep. Zack Space (D-Dover) has $930,000 in cash on hand for the final three weeks of the election, his campaign announced today.

Space raised $323,000 during the 3rd fundraising quarter that ended today, bring his total fundraising to nearly $2 million in 2008. 

Opponent Fred Dailey's (R-Mt. Vernon) totals haven't been released to the Federal Elections Commission yet. 

U.S. Rep. Zack Space (D-Dover) was one of seven Ohio representatives to vote in favor of the bailout bill yesterday. Space said in a statement that he was disappointed the bill didn’t pass.

“We are at a crossroads in America, and I am truly dispirited that, today, Congress could not political differences aside and rise to the occasion of averting what may well be an economic disaster,” Space said, adding that the bill’s failure may result in bank failures, bankruptcies and job loss.

However, the bill was not perfect.

The campaign of U.S. Rep. Zack Space (D-Dover) said opponent Fred Dailey (R-Mt. Vernon) can’t perform the basic function of a representative: understanding legislation.

This was Space’s respond to Dailey’s press release sent Wednesday that accused Space of voting for a “scam” energy bill, which does “nothing to promote the development of advanced clean coal and coal-to-liquid technologies.”

However, the bill does provide $1.6 billion for “advanced coal-based generation” and expands the coal gasification credit. It also includes money for carbon sequestration, which is one part of “clean coal” technology (putting carbon dioxide underground instead of in the air).

The campaign for 18th Congressional district candidate Fred Dailey (R-Mt. Vernon) fired a double-barreled shot at U.S. Rep. Zack Space (D-Dover)this week: one aimed at knocking Space on voting for a "scam" energy bill and the other for keeping $20,000 in donations from a powerful House Democrat under fire for ethical violations.

Both issues are big in the district because it is home to coal mines and the former district of U.S. Rep. Bob Ney (R) who went to jail for ethics violations -- an issue Space campaigned on to win two years ago.

On Wednesday Congress passed an energy bill that opens some of the ocean to offshore oil drilling. Dailey criticized Space for voting for a billt hat has no incentives for "clean-coal" or coal-to-liquid fuel technology.

U.S. Rep. Zack Space (D-Dover) has received the endorsement of the American Farm Bureau while running against Ohio's longest-serving Director of Agriculture.

The bureau endorsed Space, citing Space's vote in favor of this year's farm bill and his support for expanding broadband service for rural Ohio, renewable energy initiatives and transportation infrastructure legislation. 

Space's opponent is Fred Dailey (R-Mt. Vernon), who was the director of the state's Department of Agriculture for 16 years.

In a preview of fall campaign themes, two Republican candidates for the U.S. House are trying to link paint their Democratic opponents as out-of-touch by tying them to their national party.

First, former director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture Fred Dailey (R-Mt. Vernon) attacked U.S. Rep. Zach Space (D-Dover) in a press release for Space's comments that he fully supports Barack Obama for president.

Dailey said this means Space supports Obama's April comments that people "cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

The campaign for 18th Congressional district candidate Fred Dailey (R-Mt. Vernon) said it has $112,000 cash on hand after the second fundraising quarter. This is one-tenth of the cash on hand available to U.S. Rep. Zack Space (D-Dover), who this morning reported more than $1.1 million in his bank account.

Dailey campaign manager Sean Bartley said his campaign raised about $120,000 in the second quarter and that the campaign will file its report with the Federal Elections Commission this afternoon. 

Bartley said Dailey's cash disadvantage doesn't mean Space is safe.

"Let’s not forget this is a Republican district. This is a conservative district. And as we continue to get the word out to the 18th district  they’re going to see there’s a real difference between the guy who’s trying to portray himself as a moderate at home and the guy who’s voting with Nancy Pelsoi 92 percent of the time," Bartley said.

U.S. Rep. Zack Space: Politicker PhotoU.S. Rep. Zack Space's campaign (D-Dover) said it raised $322,000 in the second fundraising quarter this year in Space's relection bid for the 18th Congressional district.

With that money, Space now has $1.14 million in cash-on-hand. For the entire cycle Space has raised $1.7 million. 

Space's campaign said its money has come mostly from small donations: 79 percent from contributions of less than $250. Forty-three percent of donations were from "first time contributors," the campaign said.

Opponent Fred Dailey (R-Mt. Vernon) has not released his fundraising report yet.

Rob Portman: Getty Photo ImagesRob Portman's political action committee has raised nearly $300,000 thus far and donated about $25,000 to local, state and federal Republicans in a stated effort to strengthen the party and help Ohio's economy.

Portman, a former U.S. representative, trade ambassador and director of the federal Office of Management and Budget, told PolitickerOH.com he created the PAC to help make Ohio economically competitive by supporting Republican candidates. Portman also said he's learning more about Ohio's economic challenges before trying to prescripe solutions for them.

"I don't have all the answers but i am trying to do the research and talk to people who are really in the trenches working on those issues because that's my passion," Portman said. "That may be something I can help implement as an elected official some day, or it may not be. It may be something where I can just make a contribution from the outside."

Portman began raising money for his Ohio's Future PAC in November. Ohio's Future has already reported $220,000 and will report another $60,000 in funds for the most-recent FEC quarter, according to PAC executive director Andrew Ciafardini.