Ward way ahead in fundraising

Democratic mayoral hopeful Art Ward has raised more than twice as much campaign cash as his Republican challenger, Ken Johnson.
Ward raked in nearly $40,000 during the campaign compared to the slightly more than $17,000 that Johnson attracted.
Both have had large fundraisers in recent, including a GOP gathering with Gov. Jodi Rell and a Democratic one that attracted U.S. Rep. John Larson, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, state Comptroller Nancy Wyman and other major officeholders. That money is not counted among the totals in the last campaign finance reports.
Among the City Council contenders, newcomer Bruce Lydem, a 2nd District Democrat, leads the pack with $7,555 raised in his bid to secure the seat that city Councilor Ellen Zoppo is giving up.
Voters will choose a mayor and six city councilors on Tuesday, November 6.
In the 1st District City Council contest, Republican incumbent Mike Rimcoski is well ahead of two Democratic newcomers in fundraising. He has collected $4,094 so far while challenger Cliff Block has pulled in $1,015 and Rich Kilby got $200 in contributions.
In the 2nd City Council district, Democratic incumbent Kevin McCauley, who’s aiming for a second term, collected $3,868, well off the pace set by Lydem. Republican newcomers Ken Cockayne and Joe Geladino raised $3,575 and $1,400, respectively. Independent Mark Blaschke has raised less than $1,000.
In the 3rd City Council district race, Republican Bob Merrick is setting the pace, with $5,142 raised. Democratic incumbent Craig Minor raked in $1,711 while Frank Nicastro, a former mayor seeing a second term on the council, collected less than $1,000.
Among the major donors to the mayoral campaigns were corporate leaders, family members, unions and politicians.
Johnson got $1,000 from Carl Johnson of Farmington and Tom Barnes of Bristol, and $250 each from former Councilor Whit Betts and Warren O. Johnson, both of Bristol. The GOP town committee donated $1,200 to his campaign.
An advertising book that Johnson put together brought in $250 ads from a number of businesses.
Ward’s donors include AFSCME Council 4, which represents many city workers. It gave $1,500.
Bruce and Deborah Yarde each forked over $1,000 to Ward’s campaign. The Connecticut Laborer’s Political League also gave him $1,000.
He collected $600 from the city's police union
The Laborers Local Union 611 gave Ward $500, a figure matched by Rene Paradis and Pat Sullivan of Bristol, and Paul and Midge Fitta of Massachusetts.
Bristol lawyer Sal Vitrano, James Donovan of Decatur, Texas and Allan Young of Northfield each tossed $350 in Ward's kitty while George Carpenter, Joe Englert and Paul Janick, both of Bristol, donated $300 apiece.
Richard Inglis of Bristol gave Ward $325. Michael Hughes of Baldwin Harbor, N.Y. chipped in $250.
Ward collected $200 each from the following Bristol residents: Robert Tobacco, Matt Cassina, Shaun Casey, Laura Lydem, George Carpenter, David Anderson, Mike Pletscher, Kim Kasparian and Bill Greger.
All of the candidates’ campaign finance filings are available for review in the city clerk’s office.

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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com