CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ed FitzGerald, the former Cuyahoga County executive who has kept out of the public eye since an unsuccessful bid for governor more than two years ago, continues to draw from a campaign account that started 2017 with a balance of nearly $85,000.
Friends of FitzGerald spent more than $19,000 last year, according to filings with the Ohio secretary of state. About half of the money went to two entities -- a nonprofit political organization and a consulting firm -- tied to his campaign treasurer, Jennifer Scofield.
The filings also show that FitzGerald or someone acting on the Democrat's behalf has kept a steady schedule of meetings, several of them labeled as "political," over the past year.
In 2015, FitzGerald invested in community newspapers to promote local candidates and pitched plans for a downtown Cleveland arts festival that has yet to materialize. On his LinkedIn page, he lists himself as a principal at Great Lakes Strategies, which advises clients on real estate and site-selection needs, and of counsel to the Climaco, Wilcox, Peca, Tarantino & Garofoli law firm.
FitzGerald reported raising only $18.50 last year -- a single donation attributed to Scofield. It's not unusual for campaigns to slowly spend down remaining funds like FitzGerald's campaign has. But the aim of his political activity these days is unclear. He did not respond to telephone calls or an email. And the campaign "has no comment," Scofield wrote in an email.
Here's how the FitzGerald campaign spent most of its money in 2016.
Scofield-related entities: Scofield's Performance Impact Consulting received $2,800 for treasurer services. Ohio Democracy, a nonprofit she incorporated in 2015 to promote progressive policy issues and leaders, received $7,000 for work such as web hosting and event support.
The website OhioDemocracy.com aggregates news stories and has featured unsigned pieces critical of Gov. John Kasich, who beat FitzGerald in the 2014 election. The website links to a related Facebook page that lists FitzGerald's birthdate (July 10, 1968) as its start date.
Meals and meetings: Friends of FitzGerald spent at least $3,600 at local restaurants and hotels for "business" meetings, "policy" meetings, "project" meetings and "political" meetings. The total includes a $986.90 tab at Cleveland's Market Garden Brewery last June for a "governing staff reunion" attended by aides from his days as county executive and Lakewood mayor. Campaigns are not required to disclose who attended the meetings or what was discussed.
Political donations: FitzGerald's fund gave at least $2,500 to other candidates and political committees. Columbus City Council President Zach Klein, who lost a race for Franklin County prosecutor last year, received more than anyone else -- $650 between two contributions.
The campaign also donated $500 each to U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Toledo and Lakewood City Councilman John Litten; $300 each to the Ohio House Democratic Caucus and Ohio Senate candidate Emily Hagan; and $250 to Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley.
Innovation Ohio: Friends of FitzGerald gave $1,000 to the progressive policy think tank.
Cancer charities: The campaign donated $600 to groups that raise money to research adolescent and young adult cancers. The issue is one FitzGerald has long been passionate about; his oldest son is a survivor of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that was diagnosed in high school.
Posterity: FitzGerald's fund spent $364.34 at a Pat Catan's Craft Center in Cleveland. The purpose, according to the finance report? A "campaign archive project."
It's not unprecedented for politicians who aren't actively running for office to reallocate their unused campaign funds to other interests. Former Cleveland Mayor Michael R. White, for example, donated hundreds of thousands of dollars from his account to a horse rescue charity organization he operated, along with his wife, from his Newcomerstown farm.
FitzGerald earned positive reviews as a reformer for his work as the first Cuyahoga County executive -- a job created in a reorganization intended to clean up after years of public corruption perpetuated by past Democratic leaders. But his gubernatorial campaign faltered under poor fundraising and character questions, including why he drove for years on an expired license.
The Republican Kasich won a second term by a 30-point margin.
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