WASHINGTON - Rep. Zack Space has put hundreds of thousands of dollars between him and three Republican candidates seeking his seat, according to campaign finance reports filed Monday.
Those reports show that the freshman from Dover raised nearly $275,000 during the last three months. After expenses, Space had $592,000 in the bank.
To put that in perspective: Space's cash on hand is more than five times the amount his three GOP opponents have in the bank, combined.
"I'm truly touched that so many people have been so generous," Space said in a release Monday. "This outpouring of aid will help me to continue my efforts to clean up Washington, fight for economic development in southeastern Ohio, and serve the people of the 18th Congressional District."
Republican Fred Dailey, the state's former agriculture director, raised $48,800 during the last three months. But most of it - $30,000 - was money he lent his campaign.
Dailey had $46,900 in the bank, after expenses, according to his report.
Republican Jeannette Moll, a mediator and staff attorney at the Guernsey County Common Pleas Court, raised $35,400 since July 1. She had $32,000 on hand.
Finally, Republican Paul Phillips, a former B-1 bomber pilot from Chillicothe, raised just $3,750. Still, after expenses, he had $30,650 in the bank.
Altogether, Space has raised about $860,000 this year, more than most freshmen lawmakers tend to raise.
But Space, who replaced former Rep. Bob Ney, a Republican imprisoned for accepting bribes from a lobbyist, has been targeted by the national Republican Party and is likely to need all the money he can get to ward off challengers in next year's election.
The latest campaign finance reports cover activity from July 1 through Sept. 30.
Contact Malia Rulon at mrulon@gns.gannett.com