Bush Plans To Headline Blackwell Fundraiser

A presidential fundraising foray to the Cleveland, Ohio area next month could add $1 million or more to the campaign coffers of Secretary J. Kenneth Blackwell (pictured), a conservative Republican who seeks to become the state's first black governor. President George Bush will headline the event for Ohio's current secretary of state on August 2 at the home of Edward F. Crawford, chief executive officer of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. The president raised about $3 million for GOP candidates during a July 30, 2004, fundraiser at Mr. Crawford’s home. Tickets for the Blackwell fundraiser are $1,000 per person, or $10,000 for those wishing to be photographed with the president.

President Bush’s visit will help Secretary Blackwell replenish his war chest after a successful primary campaign against Attorney General Jim Petro left him with $1.3 million on hand, compared with the $2.6 million that his opponent, Rep. Ted Strickland (D-Ohio), had in the bank going into the general election.