State Sen. Steve Stivers (R) campaign announced Wednesday that he had raised $404,700 since joining the race to replace Rep. Deborah Pryce (R) in early November and the end of 2007. He finished the year with $403,100 in the bank.

“Clearly, people believe in the strength of my candidacy and the importance of my message,” Stivers said in a statement. “While I got a late start in this race, there is no doubt that I will have the means to communicate my common-sense message to the voters.”

Stivers is on track to battle Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy (D) for Pryce’s seat. Pryce, who represented the west Columbus district for eight terms, narrowly staved off Kilroy in 2006 before deciding to step down last year.

Meanwhile, Kilroy’s campaign announced that she raised $356,400 in the last reporting period of 2007, contributing to a total of $828,300 so far this cycle. She had $638,000 in cash on hand as of Dec. 31.

“I’m proud that so many people have joined my campaign to change the direction of this country,” Kilroy said. “As a lifelong advocate for the middle class, I am overjoyed by the grass-roots support and level of enthusiasm that surrounds this campaign from all walks of life — Democrats, Independents and Republicans.”

Stivers has a little-known primary opponent, Ohio State University instructor Robert Wagner, who said he raised about $3,000.
— Shira Toeplitz