According to an analysis of campaign finance data downloaded from the website of the Ohio Secretary of State, Ohio state candidates have raised a total $6.9 million in individual and PAC donations in the first six months of 2005. This includes candidates for statewide races, such as governor and attorney general, as well as the state assembly. Candidates raised only $3.4 million during the same period in 2003 and only $2.7 million in 2001. While the highly competitive gubernatorial race partially explains this increase, $1.8 million of the money raised in 2005 was from donations greater than $2,500 - contributions that could not have been made directly to candidates before the new campaign finance law went into effect on March 31. Of the $1.8 million raised from large donors, $750,000 was made by 75 big contributors "maxing-out" with $10,000 contributions.

The candidates vying for the governor's seat have benefited the most from the new contribution limits. Secretary of State and Republican gubernatorial candidate Kenneth Blackwell led all candidates by raising $548,350 in contributions greater than $2,500 during the first six months of 2005. (Blackwell also was one of the leading proponents of the new campaign finance bill.) The five gubernatorial candidates (three Republicans and two Democrats) have raised $1.4 million in contributions in excess of $2,500 during the first six months of 2005. The legislative leadership also benefited during the same period. Senate President Bill Harris (R) raised $58,000 in contributions of more than $2,500, while House Speaker Jon Husted (R) raised $44,500 in donations of more than $2,500.