Gregg, Pence ratchet up fundraising in race

Republican Mike Pence and Democrat John Gregg are heading into the key stretch of the Indiana governor's race with strong bankrolls.

Pence had $5.5 million in the bank as of July 1 and Gregg had $3 million. The campaigns released their fundraising tallies for the three-month stretch from April through June on Monday.

Gregg began closing a massive fundraising gap by raising $1.8 million in the last quarter. Indiana Democrats say his choice of state Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson as a running mate has helped with fundraising.

Pence reported raising $3 million in the same time span. One-third of that came in a single donation from the Republican Governor's Association.

Money will play a greater role in the months ahead as the campaigns begin spending more on campaign commercials.

Pence received $1 million from the RGA Ohio Political Action Committee, which is a super PAC funded by the Republican Governors Association.

Anthony Moravec, who owns a pharmaceutical company and Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor in Columbus, gave him $100,000. So did Crown Point billionaire Dean White.

Angie’s List CEO Bill Oesterle gave $50,000.

BrightPoint Inc. gave $20,000 through its political action committee, Brightpoint Eclipse. J. Mark Howell, president of Americas at BrightPoint, gave $10,000.

Other local executives giving $10,000 or more were Samuel Sato, president of the Finish Line brand; James Dora, CEO of Indianapolis-based General Hotels Corp.; Dane A. Miller, retired founder of Biomet; Mike Weaver, CEO of Weaver Popcorn Co. The Wellpoint PAC also gave $10,000.

Several local businessmen gave $5,000. They were venture capitalist John Ackerman, Michael Petrie, president of P/R Mortgage and Investment Corp., and John Kite, CEO of Kite Realty Group Trust.

Gregg received $250,000 from I-PACE, the political action committee of the Indiana State Teachers Association. Some of his largest union donors were Springfield, Ill.-based Midwest Regional Laborers Political League, which gave $200,000 and the United Auto Workers Region 3, which gave $50,000.

Herb Simon, co-founder of Simon Property Group and owner of the Indiana Pacers, gave $15,000. His nieces Deborah Simon and Cindy Simon Skjodt each gave $50,000.

David B. Becker, entrepreneur and founder of First Internet Bank, gave $10,000, as did Indianapolis arts philanthropist Ann Stack and the Beer Industry PAC, an arm of the beer wholesaler’s group, Indiana Beverage Alliance.