After departing from the U.S. House on January 21 to assume the role of President at Youngstown State University, Bill Johnson still maintains a substantial surplus in his congressional campaign coffers, despite expending $131,313 from the fund within the first three months of the year.
As of March 31, Johnson’s congressional fund boasts a surplus of $872,287, according to the latest filing with the Federal Election Commission.
During the first quarter of the year, the fund recorded receipts totaling $9,743, with $9,500 originating from political action committees (PACs). However, the fund proceeded to refund all but $2,500 of the PAC contributions, except for a $2,500 check from Aflac, an insurance company, received on January 11. Johnson’s campaign attributed the acceptance of this check to its issuance date predating his announcement of leaving congressional office.
In addition to the PAC contributions, Johnson’s fund received $243 from the Johnson Leads Committee, a joint fundraising committee that concluded its activities on February 15. This committee, comprising Johnson’s campaign committee, leadership PAC, and the National Republican Congressional Committee, contributed to the fund.
As of February 29, Johnson’s leadership PAC reported a balance of $609.
Despite spending 13 years in Congress and amassing a surplus of $1,329,874 by September 30, Johnson’s fund was reduced to $993,857 by December 31, largely due to a $235,000 contribution made to the NRCC on November 29.
However, expenditures slowed during the first quarter, resulting in a decline of $121,570 in the fund’s surplus by March 31, leaving it at $872,287.
The Federal Election Commission delineates allowable expenses for former federal officeholders during the winding-down period, including moving costs, staff payments, charitable donations, contributions to political candidates, and transfers to political party committees.
Johnson’s largest expense during the first quarter was $57,500 in total refunds, followed by payments of $19,046 to Communications Counsel of Columbus and $15,000 to Ironclad Consulting LLC for media and fundraising consulting, respectively.
Subsequent expenses after Johnson’s resignation on January 21 included travel costs, hotel stays, and meeting expenses, including contributions to the YSU Penguin Club, a booster organization supporting student-athletes at the university.
Johnson’s vacant 6th Congressional District seat awaits the outcome of the June 11 special election, where Republican Michael Rulli and Democrat Michael L. Kripchak vie for the remainder of his unexpired term, followed by the November 5 general election for a full two-year term commencing January 2025.
