Tracking Money in Cleveland Politics
Follow the Money CLE is a volunteer-driven project founded in the idea that every Clevelander should have the same access and influence in politics as the affluent donor class. Our mission is to strengthen democracy through transparency by publishing publicly-available campaign finance reports and making the data easy to search and aggregate. We encourage you to explore the data yourself.
Featured Data Set:
Council Leadership Fund Expenditures
The Council Leadership Fund (“CLF”) is a political action committee (PAC) established nearly 30 years ago. As a leadership fund, the primary purpose of the CLF is to protect incumbent members of Cleveland City Council. Funds raised are contributed in the form of campaign contributions to members of City Council or spent as independent expenditures on behalf of members of Council. Spending by the CLF is directed by the City Council President.
While we encourage everyone to explore the Master Data themselves, we created these featured data sets to deliver an overall picture of the Council Leadership Fund and to serve as a jumping-off point for further exploration.
Total Expenditures by Council President
Blaine Griffin (Jan. 2022 – Present): $97,465.45
Kevin Kelley (Jan. 2014 – Dec. 2021): $772,249.72
Martin Sweeney (Jan. 2006 – Dec.2013): $829,023.42
Frank Jackson (Jan. 2002 – Dec. 2005): $306,486.29
Michael Polensek (Jan. 1999 – Dec. 2002): $387.33
Total Expenditures: $2,005,612.21
Where Do Expenditures Go?
- Cuyahoga County
- Other Ohio County
- Out of State
Blaine Griffin
Cuyahoga County: $66,117.23
Other Ohio County: $1,890.00
Out of State: $29,458.22
Total: $97,465.45
Kevin Kelley
Cuyahoga County: $720,076.44
Other Ohio County: $43,645.96
Out of State: $113,969.84
Total: $772,249.72
Martin Sweeney
Cuyahoga County: $787,366.98
Other Ohio County: $29,259.98
Out of State: $12,396.46
Total: $829,023.42
Frank Jackson
Cuyahoga County: $259,751.19
Other Ohio County: $18,992.02
Out of State: $27,743.08
Total: $306,486.29
Michael Polensek
Cuyahoga County: $0
Other Ohio County: $0
Out of State: $387.33
Total: $387.33
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