FAIRLAWN: The Summit County Republican Party stung by an ongoing, internal effort to overthrow the longtime party chairman raised $742,000 at its annual Finance Dinner on Tuesday night.

The event, the major fundraiser for the local party, turned into a lovefest of sorts as some high-profile Republicans came to the defense of Chairman Alex Arshinkoff, who has led the organization for nearly 30 years.

''It's hard to be a prophet in your own land, isn't it Alex?'' Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted said during his public remarks.

Kevin DeWine, deputy chairman of the Ohio Republican Party; Mary Taylor, the state auditor; and Bryan Williams, the co-chairman of the event, also praised his commitment to the Republican cause.

Earlier this month, state Sen. Kevin Coughlin of Cuyahoga Falls announced an effort to oust Arshinkoff, accusing him of misspending party funds, not supporting local candidates enough and losing too many local races.

Coughlin will have to win over a majority of the 400-plus Republican committee persons who will be elected countywide in March to succeed in the coup.

Ticket sales and donations for the Finance Dinner are typically lower in years not featuring big national and statewide races, Williams said. But giving was strong this year, and he attributed that partly to support for Arshinkoff.

When introduced, the party chairman received a standing ovation from most of those who paid $250 a ticket to attend the event, held at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn hotel.

He referenced the party fissure during his comments and disputed Coughlin's accusations.

''I found out a long time ago that party chairmen are usually the root cause of most defeats and are the forgotten child of most victories,'' Arshinkoff said. ''That's part of the business and we'll live with that.''

Gust and Frances Kalapodis of New Franklin, who attended the event, said they were confused by Coughlin's effort. ''I think the guy's a little squirrelly,'' Gust Kalapodis said about Coughlin.

Coughlin, who was out of town Tuesday, did not attend the fundraiser.

In a phone interview before the event, he said he's received positive feedback since he publicly released a letter on Aug. 17 announcing his intention.

He has not said who he wants to be the next chairman. He also has launched a Web site to push his agenda.

Green Mayor Daniel Croghan, Hudson Mayor William Currin and Stow Law Director Joseph Haefner are among the Republicans who have joined the effort, according to the Web site. Other names will be announced soon, Coughlin said.

He said Summit County deserves a true two-party system. Now, one party raises all the money and the other wins all the races, he said.

''I've never argued that (Arshinkoff) can't raise money,'' Coughlin said.