Joss Whedon backs Joe Helle, Republicans back Arndt with big bucks

SANDUSKY — Joe Helle has far less campaign cash than his political opponent, state Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton, in the Ohio House District 89 race.But he does have famed Hollywood director Joss Whedon, known for directing "The Avengers," in his corner.Helle's campaign contribution of $4,085 from Whedon is the largest donation reported in his latest report. Whedon is listed as a Malibu, Calif., resident and his occupation is listed as "movie director."Meanwhile, Arndt's report shows more than $150,000 in in-kind contributions from Republican organizations, fueling a series of attack ads on TV and in the mail that have targeted Helle during the campaign.Campaign finance reports filed by Arndt and Helle, the Democratic nominee, show Arndt has raised and spent far more money.Arndt's pre-general election campaign finance report, filed Oct. 25, shows total contributions of about $43,600 and total expenditures of about $7,100, with $46,800 in cash-on-hand, including $10,300 Arndt had leftover from a previous report.Helle's pre-general election report, also filed Oct. 25, shows total contributions of about $12,500, with expenditures of about $9,600 and $5,300 in cash-on-hand. Helle had $2,300 carried over.The contrast between the two is even more stark when in-kind contributions from allies are compared.Arndt's Oct. 25 report lists in-kind contributions of $152,169.The vast majority of that comes from media advertising from the Ohio House Republican Caucus. In addition, the Ohio Republican Party provided about $15,000 of advertising, and Arndt supporters provided a few hundred dollars worth of food and beverages.Helle's latest report shows no in-kind contributions.Helle said he didn't ask the Ohio Democratic Party for any help because he didn't want to be associated with attack ads."I don't believe in that sort of politics," he said Thursday. "The only way to take the high ground on it is not to ask them for help."Arndt's report shows that he received many contributions of $100 or less from local residents of Erie and Ottawa counties.Arndt's biggest contribution, $5,000, came from the Ohio Education Association Political Action Committee. He received $3,000 from Political Education Patterns of Cleveland, identified in a Cleveland.com news article as "the political arm of the Operating Engineers Local 18 in Cleveland, which represents road-construction workers," $2,500 from Sheet Metal Workers International and $2,500 from the Realtors PAC.Arndt also received $1,000 from the Ohio Health Care Association PAC, $1,000 from the Ohio Nurses Association Political Contribution Entity, $1,000 from Sheet Metal Workers PCE, and $1,000 from United Food and Commercial Workers Local 880. He also got $1,000 from Teamsters Ohio, $1,000 from Marvin Booker of Put-in-Bay, owner of the Boardwalk restaurant.Helle's top contribution came from Whedon. Helle also received $2,000 from the UAW Tri County Cap Council and $1,000 from EveryDistrict, a Democratic group which backs Democratic candidates across the U.S.Helle said he doesn't know Whedon personally. Whedon created TV series such as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Firefly" and directed movies such as "The Avengers," which included scenes shot at NASA Plum Brook Station near Sandusky.Whedon has been making donations of money to support the work of "One Vote at a Time," female filmmakers making ads for progressive candidates, Helle said. The group created a video for Helle, two minutes and 16 seconds long, that's available on YouTube.Helle's report also lists some very small contributions, including one of 39 cents from massage therapist Brei Mascola of East Hartford, Conn.Helle explained that websites such as the #EveryDistrictOH area of Crowdpac.com allow donors to give money to groups of candidates, with the donation divided among each candidate.The campaign finance reports from the candidates are available online from the Ohio Secretary of State's website.State Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton, left, and challenger Joe Helle speak during a live broadcast of their debate at sanduskyregister.com.Joss Whedon at the 2010 Comic-Con in San Diego. Joe HelleArndt, Steve