The Cincinnati Beacon
Gerald “Bengal” Berding and His Big Money Fringe
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
 Photo courtesy of here.
I recently came across some information we gathered back in 2007, concerning campaign contributions for the 2005 City Council elections. The city council members holding office had their positions largely because they are good at fundraising. During the 2005 election, 4,762 persons made campaign contributions totalling $1,325,365.42. Twenty-three percent (a minority) of the people contributed 73% of the money. 619 persons made contributions over $1,000. Additionally, 64 entities pitched up more than a grand. PAC and Corporate party contribution limits are higher than the $1000 individual contribution limit. This is how they stacked up back then.
PAC & PARTY FUNDING
Berding 18250
Bortz 17500
Cole 17275
Monzel 15500
Crowley 14650
Ghiz 13250
Cranley 12900
$1000 Contributions
Berding 125000
Cranley 108000
Bortz 76000
Monzel 56000
Ghiz 36000
Crowley 34000
Cole 17000
Berding was the true winner grabbing over $140,000 from large donors. Bortz was smiled upon from PAC’s and the Charter Committee. Cranley played a good game and it paid off. And that was the way the serious candidates finished.
So can it be any surprise that Jeff Berding has taken the lead in efforts to oppose Issue 8? Big money has big interests invested in protecting the status quo, and Jeff Berding has become the big-money poster boy for their big-money agenda.
Say “No” to corrupt campaign financing and the status quo. Say “Yes” to fair elections. Vote YES on Issue 8.
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