In local races, Republicans outperformed in fundraising

ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — Republicans running for Ohio House and the Fourth District Court of Appeals received far more campaign contributions than Democratic candidates leading into the 2026 general election, especially the race for House District 94. Here’s a look at how contributions tallied up.

This data is from all pre-primary contributions reported this year through the latest campaign finance report, released Oct. 7. All data obtained through the Ohio Secretary of State. 

General election results are unofficial. 

Ohio House District 94

Incumbent Ritter in Tuesday, Nov. 3’s general election beat challenger Wenda Sheard, a Democrat from Athens, by about 9,000 votes districtwide. Ohio House District 94 includes Athens (excluding city), Meigs and Washington counties. 

The race was tight in Athens County, where voters favored Sheard, giving her 5,912 votes, as opposed to Ritter’s 5,519. 

Kevin Ritter (Ritter for Ohio)

Date range: Jan. 9–Oct. 7

Number of contributions: 177

Contributions total: $222,000

Top three contributions: 

1. Kaitlyn Kostival (Athens): $16,615.67, pre-general. 
2. Memorial Healthpac (Marietta): $16,615.67, post-primary. 
3. Bryan Casey (Coolville): $13,533.21, pre-general.

Top three places where contributions came from:

1. Columbus: 42.
2. Marietta: 36.
3. Athens: 10. 

Wenda Sheard (Friends of Wenda Sheard)

Date range: Jan. 5–Oct. 11

Number of contributions: 312

Contributions total: $45,600

Top three contributions: 

1. Greater Than (South Burlington, Vermont): $2,268.00, pre-general.
2. The Matriots (Columbus): $2,000, pre-general. 
3. James Raney (Marietta): $2,000, post-primary. 

Top three places where contributions came from:

1. Athens: 89.
2. Marietta: 85.
3. Pomeroy: 13. 

Ohio House District 95

Incumbent Moore in the general election beat challenger Paul Cameron, a Democrat from St. Clairsville. Athens County overwhelmingly voted for Cameron, as he received 7,056 votes; Moore received 1,564.

Ohio House District 95 includes Harrison, Noble, and Morgan counties; parts of Belmont, Guernsey, and Athens counties (including the city of Athens).

Ty Moore (Friends of Ty Moore)

Date range: Jan. 9–Oct. 7, 2026

Number of contributions: 67 donations

Donations contributions: $65,000

Top three contributions:

1. Political Education Patterns (Cleveland): $10,000, pre-general/
2. Carl Baker (Caldwell): $5,000, pre-general.
3. United Association of Publishers and Pipefitters (Cincinnati) $3,500, pre-general. 

Top three places where contributions came from:

• Columbus: 11. 
• Caldwell: 10. 
• McConnelsville: Six.

Paul Cameron (Committee to Elect Paul Cameron)

Date range: May 12–Oct. 22, 2026

Number of contributions: 93

Contributions total: $16,200

Top four contributions: 

1. Every State Blue-Ohio (Washington, DC): $5,300, pre-general.
2. *Paul Cameron (self): $1,600, pre-general. 
3. Athens County Democratic Executive Committee (Athens): $1,000, pre-general. 
4. Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (Columbus): $1,000, pre-general. 

Top three places where contributions came from:

1. Athens: 37.
2. St. Clairsville: 11.
3. Belmont: Eight.

Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Pickaway County Prosecutor Jayme Fountain will join the Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals after capturing 64% of the overall vote, per unofficial results from 14 election boards. The appeals race received nearly 200,000 votes overall. 

Athens County Municipal Court Judge Todd Grace was the Democratic nominee. Both candidates won their home counties. 

The two were nominated by their counties’ respective parties in October, as the seat had been vacated  in September by Judge Peter B. Abele, following his death.

Todd Grace (Todd Grace for Judge Committee)

Date range: Oct. 6–Oct. 19

Number of contributions: 13

Contributions total: $2,835

Top three contributions: 

1. Robert Rittenhouse (Athens): $1,700, pre-general. 
2. Marsha Dumm (Grove City): $250, pre-general.
3. Patrick Lang (Athens): $200, pre-general.

Top three places where contributions came from:

1. Athens: Five.
2. Marietta: Three.
3. Middleport: One.

Jaymie Fountain (Hartley Fountain for Judge)

Date range: Oct. 8–Oct. 13

Number of contributions: 11 donors

Contributions total: $7,980 

Top three contributions: Each was $1,000, pre-general. 

1. Donna Dailey (Circleville). 
2. Hocking County Republican Party (Logan).
3. Ross County Republican Party (Chillicothe).

Top places where contributions came from:

1. Ashville: Four.
2. Circleville: Four.