Across the Buckeye State, donors are contributing large sums to candidates and committees hoping to claim victories in the perennial swing state. This year, many of the top 10 donors in Ohio are supporting parties, candidates, and committees who are attempting to win key state-level legislative and judicial races. 

Here is a look at the top 10 donors in Ohio state politics this election cycle:

1. Frances G. Pepper – $559,813.89

Pepper is a well-known Ohio philanthropist and wife of former Procter & Gamble CEO John Pepper. Pepper has been a top supporter of Democratic candidates and causes across the state. The Pepper family has strong ties to the state’s Democratic Party as well, with her son, David, currently serving as the Ohio party’s chairman. Pepper has contributed $470,100 to the Ohio Democratic Party, accounting for her top contribution. (TUSA did a candidate spotlight on Pepper earlier this election season.)

2. Karen A. Buchwald Wright – $388,292.00

Buchwald Wright is the President and CEO of Ariel Corporation, a company founded by her 

father, which manufactures natural gas compressors. Pepper’s top contribution has been to the Ohio Republican State Central and Executive Committee State Account in the amount of $375,000.

3. Thomas Rastin – $380,000.00

Rastin is the husband of Ariel Corporation President and CEO Karen Buchwald Wright. Rastin’s  top contribution was made in the amount of $375,000 to the Ohio Republican State Central and Executive Committee State Account.

4. Cynthia and Wayne M. Boich – $344,138.66

Wayne Boich is the chairman and chief executive officer of Boich Companies, an investment company with investments in real estate assets, commercial and residential developments, emerging energy and culinary services. According to the Boich Companies’ website, Boich lives in Miami Beach, Florida, with his wife, Cynthia. In Ohio, the couple have been supporters of a number of high-profile Republicans. The couple’s top contribution so far is $119,631.15 to the Ohio Republican State Central & Executive Committee State Candidate Fund.

5. Richard H. Rosenthal – $310,292.55

Rosenthal is an Ohio philanthropist. Rosnethal has been a top contributor to Democrats in Ohio, with his largest contribution going to the Ohio Democratic Party State Candidate Fund in the amount of $159,508.20.

6. Geraldine B. Warner – $190,492.00

Warner is an attorney and arts advocate from Cincinnati. Warner has been a contributor to a number of Republican candidates and causes with her top contribution in the amount of $85,000 going to the Ohio Republican State Central and Executive Committee State Account.

7. Gayle and Donald A. Oeters – $186,800.00

According to Cincinnati.com, Don Oeters is the former owner of Watson’s pool and spa stores and is the creator of EnterTRAINment Junction in West Chester Township. The Oeters have been contributors to a number of Republican politicians and causes, with their top contributions in the amount of $50,000 each going to the Ohio Republican State Central & Executive Committee State Candidate Fund and the similar-sounding Ohio Republican State Central and Executive Committee State Account.

8. Janet S. and James F. Dicke II – $165,250.00

James Dicke is the chairman and CEO of Crown Equipment Corporation, a manufacturer and distributor of forklift trucks and materials-handling equipment. Dicke and his wife, Janet, have been contributors to several Republican candidates and causes, with their top contribution going to the Ohio Republican State Central and Executive Committee State Account in the amount of $130,000. 

9. Matthew J. Borges – $153,792.35

Borges is an Ohio lobbyist and former chairman of the Ohio Republican Party. Borges has been a contributor to a number of Republican candidates, but his top contribution went to the Protect Ohio Clean Energy Jobs committee, in the amount of $90,000.

10. Brian Colleran – $152,000.00

Colleran is a nursing home developer and philanthropist who has been a supporter of Republican candidates and causes. Colleran’s top contribution was made in the amount of $38,000 to the House Republican Campaign Committee.

This list of the top 10 donors in Ohio is current to the most recently available reports at the time of publishing. A complete and up-to-date list of donors to state-level candidates and PACs in Ohio is always available here. These numbers do not include any donations toward federal elections by these individuals.

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