Michael Rulli, one of the two Republican U.S. House members who represent the Mahoning Valley, started off the first three months of the year growing his campaign account in preparation for reelection bids in 2026.

Rulli, of Salem, whose district includes all of Mahoning and Columbiana counties, received $135,829 in contributions between January and March with $90,050 coming from PACs. Among his individual donors was Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a close advisor to President Donald Trump, who gave a $6,600 maximum contribution to Rulli, who has served 10 months in Congress.

Democrat Michael L. Kripchak of Youngstown, who lost to Rulli in the November election by 33.4%, didn’t raise or spend any money in the first quarter. Kripchak had $6,111 in his congressional fund as of March 31. Kripchak said he plans to again run against Rulli in 2026 for the 6th Congressional District seat.

Rulli raised $135,829 in the first quarter and spent $88,910. Including money he carried over from the 2024 campaign, Rulli had $117,555 in his fund as of March 31.

Rulli received $90,050 from PACs, $43,729 from individual donors, transferred $1,750 from a PAC he created and got a $300 refund from a rental car company.

The PAC is the Rulli Victory Fund, created by Rulli’s campaign committee and the Ohio Valley Leadership PAC, which the congressman also controls.

Rulli received $5,000 maximum contributions from two PACs: one represents Home Depot and the other from Alkerme Inc., a polymer company.

Musk’s $6,600 contribution is 15% of all of the money Rulli received from individual donors in the first quarter.

Rulli’s largest expenses in the quarter were $28,179 to the Paroska Group Inc. of Cleveland and $10,840 to Grand Valley Consulting of Washington, D.C. Both were for fundraising consulting.

Rulli’s district is considered safe for Republicans. It includes all of Mahoning, Columbiana, Carroll, Jefferson, Belmont, Harrison, Monroe, Noble and Washington counties and portions of Stark and Tuscarawas counties. Mahoning is the district’s most-populous county.

Republican state officials will redraw the congressional district lines this year for the 2026 election though few changes are expected for the 6th and 14th Districts.