So far, three contenders for the state General Assembly whose districts include at least part of Bristol have qualified for public financing of their campaigns: Republican state Senate hopeful Jason Welch in the 31st District, GOP state House candidate Whit Betts in the 78th District and state Rep. Frank Nicastro, a Democrat from the 79th District.
State Rep. Betty Boukus, a Plainville Democrat from the 22nd District, said she has raised the requisite funds and should qualify soon.
Here is the complete list.
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Showing posts with label campaign finance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label campaign finance. Show all posts
July 21, 2010
Brickley blasts Larson's use of campaign dollars
Brickley Questions Larson’s Fundraising and Campaign Spending Decisions
Cites Larson’s use of PAC funds for Congressmen’s Legal Defense Funds
(Wethersfield, CT) July 21, 2010– Ann Brickley, the Republican convention-endorsed candidate, is questioning Congressman Larson claims of being a leading supporter of campaign finance reform while milking the system for every possible dollar. Larson reports raising $1.8 million thru June and having $900,000 on hand. The fact that he has spent $900,000 on his campaign to date should raise the question "on what"?
“While Larson advocates for getting special interests out of politics, one of the most complete lists of special interest groups in Washington is the lists of donors to Larson's Political Action Committees,” Brickley said. “It is interesting to note that a substantial number of donors only report a P.O. Box as their address and contribute thousands of dollars.”
Based on May figures, Larson had spent more than $531,685 on his campaign, having given colleagues who elect him to his leadership position $236,500 and donated $286,750 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
“Clearly these PACs are huge political slush funds with no restrictions that are taken seriously,” Brickley stated.
According to campaign filings, these funds are even used to finance legal defense funds for congressmen who are charged with violating the law. Larson's committees are a prime source of funds for Democrats colleagues in need regardless of the situation.
Larson’s leadership PAC expenditures include contributions to the Legal Defense Funds of Congressmen William Jefferson, Brad Miller and Jim McDermott. William Jefferson is the Democratic Representative from Louisiana who was charged with accepting a bribe when authorities found that he placed the cash bribe in his refrigerator.
“I have questioned how contributions of this nature could be permitted under any rules but learned that PACs are regulated by the theory that anything that is not specifically prohibited is permitted,” Brickley said. “On that basis the rules would have to address the possibility that Representative Jefferson would need legal help to contest a bribe allegation in order to regulate this donation.”
Another aspect of PACs that Brickley also expressed her concern about is the frequency that some Congressmen hosts events. Several events per week is not unusual and may explain why they are voting on bills without having read them. Again Congressman Larson has hosted numerous events including Bocce ball tournaments in DC attorney's offices, wine tasting at exotic locations, and the recent Mohegan Sun extravaganza which was one of the most lavish and financially successful.
“As your Congressperson I will lead the campaign to abolish "Leadership PACs" and bring serious reform to all political committees,” Brickley said. “Until we do that, meaningful Campaign Finance Reform is simply rhetoric. At present, Larson is one of the biggest offenders and has put out some of the most effective rhetoric to date.”
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Larson way ahead with campaign cash
Veteran U.S. Rep. John Larson has 15 times as much campaign cash on hand as both of the Republicans vying to unseat him have between them.Larson, an East Hartford Democrat who has represented the 1st District since 1998, has raised $1.8 million for this year’s campaign and still has half of it in his campaign treasury, according to the Federal Election Commission.
On the GOP side, the two competitors in an Aug. 10 primary, Ann Brickley and Mark Zydanowicz, together raised $80,000, which includes $61,237 in loans from Brickley to her campaign.
Brickley, the party’s endorsed candidate, still had $55,000 of her campaign cash on hand at the end of June.
Zydanowicz, a West Hartford dairy executive, raised $7,195 as of May 1. The FEC hasn’t yet posted his campaign finance information through June.
Neither of the Republicans reported receiving any political action committee cash. Larson, on the other hand, has collected $759,000 from scores of groups.
Larson also got more than $1 million from individual donors. Click here for full story.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
January 21, 2010
Supreme Court throws aside campaign finance laws
In the sort of breathtaking edict that really ought to be decided on something other than a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court today tossed out longstanding restrictions on corporate campaign spending. The majority basically said companies can spend whatever they like.
The floodgates are going to be open wide.
Having watched this issue for decades, I'm not surprised, but I'm still stunned.
Justice John Paul Stevens' dissent has it just about right, I'm afraid. He said, ''The court's ruling threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions around the nation.''
This is also a very strange overreaching by the majority, who took a legitimate case in which federal restrictions were wrong, and leaped way past the facts to make a sweeping ruling that undermines everything about campaign finance laws. Talk about judicial activism!
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
The floodgates are going to be open wide.
Having watched this issue for decades, I'm not surprised, but I'm still stunned.
Justice John Paul Stevens' dissent has it just about right, I'm afraid. He said, ''The court's ruling threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions around the nation.''
This is also a very strange overreaching by the majority, who took a legitimate case in which federal restrictions were wrong, and leaped way past the facts to make a sweeping ruling that undermines everything about campaign finance laws. Talk about judicial activism!
*******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 16, 2009
Ward, Mills top fundraising race
Mayor Art Ward will likely outspend his two opponents by at least a 3-to-1 margin.
The mayor said his campaign plans to raise about $30,000, most of it in small donations that aim to cement his support in the weeks leading up to the November 3 municipal election.
When the campaign filed donation disclosure forms this week, Ward reported that he had raised $15,698 compared to Republican Mary Alford’s $4,370. Independent mayoral challenger Gary Lawton had raised less than $1,000.
Party officials said that while Ward’s campaign would likely double its tally before Election Day, Alford is unlikely to keep pace, leaving the first-term incumbent Democratic with a commanding funding advantage.
Among the 12 City Council contenders, the biggest fundraiser was Republican hopeful David Mills in the 3rd District. He raised $5,455 before the October 1 filing deadline.
Generally, though, incumbents had the stronger hand.
In the 1st District, incumbent Democrat Cliff Block hauled in $3,176 and Republican incumbent Mike Rimcoski collected $2,630 while newcomers Kevin Fuller, a Democrat, and Eldianne Bishop, a Republican, each raised less than $1,000.
In the 2nd District, the money race is a bit closer.
Incumbent Democrat Kevin McCauley heads the pack with $2,930. Next up was GOP challenger Richard Scarola, who raised $2,659. Republican incumbent Ken Cockayne raked in $2,131 while Democratic hopeful Allen Marko raised $885.
In the 3rd District, both Republicans, Mills and Derek Czenczelewski, managed to top the Democrats seeking to claim the two seats that Democratic incumbents are giving up.
Czenczelewski scraped up $2,275 while Democrat Kate Matthews’ donations totaled $1,960 and Terry Parker’s tally came to $1,480.
In the city treasurer’s race, incumbent Democrat Bill Viets collected $310 while Republican Rose Parenti reported that she plans to raise less than $1,000.
Candidates who believe they will raise less than $1,000 do not have to detail their contributions.
The largest single donation in the campaign went to Ward from the Connecticut Laborer’s Political League. It gave the mayor’s campaign $1,500.
The only comparable donations came from Bruce and Deborah Yarde of
Here are the donors of $100 or more to each of the mayoral candidates (with apologies for any names spelled wrong since both lists were handwritten and not always easily legible):
Alford’s biggest donors:
Bristol Republican Town Committee -- $400
Edward McPhee -- $250
Sharon Krawiecki -- $200
Stephen Abate (West Hartford) -- $200
Carlyle Barnes - $100
TJ Barnes -- $100
Esther Burham (Cheshire) -- $100
Thomas Hermann (Jacksonville, FL) -- $100
Wendy Jersey -- $100
Ellie Klapatch -- $100
Gary Pelletier (Torrington) -- $100
Lauren Pelletier (Torrington) -- $100
Michael Saman -- $100
Ward’s biggest donors
Connecticut Laborer’s Political League -- $1,500
Bruce Yarde -- $1,000
Deborah Yarde -- $1,000
Central Connecticut Carpenters -- $500
Blake DelleBianca -- $250
Michelle Fitzsimon -- $200
Deborah Laviero -- $200
Tom O’Brien - $200
Rita Pletscher -- $200
Paula Positano -- $200
Antoinett Scalia - $200
Sheet Metal Workers -- $200
Vincent McDermott (Bethlehem) -- $150
David Anderson -- $100
Richard Avery -- $100
Jo-Ann Barrett -- $100
Phillip Benoit (Rocky Hill) -- $100
Andre Bourvet -- $100
Pamela Brown -- $100
Richard Brown -- $100
Kathleen Carroll -- $100
Michael Cassella -- $100
Raymond Chrzanowski (Tampa, FL) -- $100
Dale Clift -- $100
Darlene Coffey -- $100
Tom Colapietro -- $100
Robert Dalfino -- $100
William Dalfino -- $100
Pete Dauphinais -- $100
Suzanne Davis -- $100
Carol Denehy -- $100
Real Downing - $100
Sarah Duffy - $100
William Englert -- $100
Paul Fitta -- $100
Terry Fries -- $100
Kevin Fuller -- $100
Joseph Geladino -- $100
William Greger -- $100
Rex Hamilton -- $100
David Herens -- $100
Howard Holley (Southington) -- $100
David Houlihan -- $100
Richard Inglis -- $100
Roy Izzo (Goshen) -- $100
Paul Janick -- $100
Kim Kasparian -- $100
Brendan Kennedy -- $100
Robert Kowalski -- $100
Richard Lacey -- $100
Dina Laviero -- $100
Patricia Laviero -- $100
Gil Lavoie -- $100
Sharon Legere -- $100
Sandra Leone -- $100
Robert Longo -- $100
Rosemarie Mancini -- $100
Nancy Mandino -- $100
Alex Monico -- $100
Francis Mullins -- $100
Elliot Nelson -- $100
Roger Neilson -- $100
Glen Palmisano -- $100
Mae Palmisano -- $100
Michael Petosa -- $100
Joseph Pikiell (Ft. Myers, FL) -- $100
James Reinwald (Trumbull) -- $100
Raymond Rich -- $100
Donald Sciaretto -- $100
Melissa Simonik -- $100
Joseph Stanco -- $100
Janet Streifer -- $100
Scott Teneyck -- $100
Diane Thibeault -- $100
Scott Thompson -- $100
Lisa Vachio -- $100
Carmelito Valerio -- $100
Robert Violette (Rocky Hill) -- $100
Gardner Wright -- $100
For what it's worth, the city should require that campaign donor lists be typed and entered onto some kind of web-based form so that everybody can see who's giving quickly, easily and completely. This would cost almost nothing but vastly increase the transparency of the campaigns. It would also, no doubt, make sure they're more accurate and thorough. It's just plain silly that these are done by hand on paper nowadays.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
July 30, 2009
Larson hosts online town hall at 2 p.m. today
Press release from U.S. Rep. John Larson, the East Hartford Democrat whose 1st District includes Bristol:
Today at 2pm, Congressman Larson To Host Interactive Online Town Hall on Fair Elections Now Act
Larson will testify at 11AM at a congressional committee hearing on the legislation
Washington, DC-Today at 2pm, U.S. Congressman John B. Larson will host a live, interactive streamed online town hall. He'll be answering questions about his Fair Elections Now Act, a bill that will reduce the influence of big donors in the legislative process.
States, such as Connecticut, have shown overwhelming success with similar legislation in reducing the influence of big donors in the electoral process. It is time to bring this kind of real change to Washington. President Obama showed us all how small donations and average Americans can make a difference in an election. With the Fair Elections Now Act, we will give small donors a fair say in the electoral process.
Congressman Larson introduced this landmark bipartisan legislation in March 2009, and it has received support from Members of Congress as well as respected national and local organizations including Common Cause and the Public Campaign Action Fund. Congressman Larson is scheduled to testify at a hearing hosted by the House Administration Committee on Thursday to discuss the legislation and public financing of congressional campaigns.
We are asking constituents to submit questions or upload them to YouTube and send us the video URL.
Log on to http://larson.house.gov/townhall on July 30th at 2 pm and you'll be able to ask questions during our interactive event, as Congressman Larson replies over a live video stream.
Who: U.S. Congressman John B. Larson
What: Online Town Hall-Conversation about reducing the influence of big donors in politics
When: Today, July 30th, 2 PM
Where: http://larson.house.gov/townhall
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Today at 2pm, Congressman Larson To Host Interactive Online Town Hall on Fair Elections Now Act
Larson will testify at 11AM at a congressional committee hearing on the legislation
Washington, DC-Today at 2pm, U.S. Congressman John B. Larson will host a live, interactive streamed online town hall. He'll be answering questions about his Fair Elections Now Act, a bill that will reduce the influence of big donors in the legislative process.
States, such as Connecticut, have shown overwhelming success with similar legislation in reducing the influence of big donors in the electoral process. It is time to bring this kind of real change to Washington. President Obama showed us all how small donations and average Americans can make a difference in an election. With the Fair Elections Now Act, we will give small donors a fair say in the electoral process.
Congressman Larson introduced this landmark bipartisan legislation in March 2009, and it has received support from Members of Congress as well as respected national and local organizations including Common Cause and the Public Campaign Action Fund. Congressman Larson is scheduled to testify at a hearing hosted by the House Administration Committee on Thursday to discuss the legislation and public financing of congressional campaigns.
We are asking constituents to submit questions or upload them to YouTube and send us the video URL.
Log on to http://larson.house.gov/townhall on July 30th at 2 pm and you'll be able to ask questions during our interactive event, as Congressman Larson replies over a live video stream.
Who: U.S. Congressman John B. Larson
What: Online Town Hall-Conversation about reducing the influence of big donors in politics
When: Today, July 30th, 2 PM
Where: http://larson.house.gov/townhall
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
May 11, 2009
Larson, Murphy: Fix campaign fundraising
To combat the corrosive impact of money on politics, Connecticut’s congressional representatives said Monday they want to see public financing of federal campaigns.
“The current system is a built-in incumbent protection benefit,” said U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, a Cheshire Democrat whose 5th District includes New Britain, Plainville and Plymouth.
One of the proposal’s champions – U.S. Rep. John Larson, an East Hartford Democrat whose 1st District includes Bristol – said the measure is so important that he hopes to push it through the House before it adjourns in August.
“We have a chance, a good chance, to fix the system this year,” said Bob Edgar, who heads Common Cause, a group that has long pushed for reform of a system it says gives too much power to wealthy donors and special interests.
The plan calls for congressional candidates to raise a large number of small campaign donations in order to qualify for federal funding that would bring them as much as the average national congressional campaign forked over.
Appearing with supporters at a press conference at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Larson said the money necessary to fund the plan could come from selling airwave rights, but he’s open to other ideas.
Larson, who has raised far more campaign cash than his challengers for years, said that Connecticut’s state campaign finance program can be “a model” for the nation.
“States have shown overwhelming success in reducing the influence of big donors” when they’ve adopted campaign finance, Larson said.
“Lawmakers are able to tend to the business of their constituents rather than spending their time dialing for dollars. It is time to bring real change to Washington,” Larson said.
With Larson’s leadership post as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Murphy said, he is optimistic that Congress can follow Connecticut’s lead in overhauling the way it runs campaigns.
The Fair Elections Now Act that all of Connecticut’s members of Congress have endorsed “would not only level the playing field for candidates of lower economic status; it would also limit the influence of large contributors, corporations, and special interest groups in elections, and help restore the integrity and transparency of the entire process,” Murphy said.
Murphy’s sole challenger, Republican Justin Bernier of Farmington, called on the Democratic incumbent to abide by its fund-raising terms immediately rather than waiting for legislation.
Murphy said he hadn’t seen Bernier’s letter, but had no intention of taking up the challenge.
Murphy said there is nothing wrong with playing by the existing rules while strongly urging their reform.
Larson said candidates can’t endanger their own reelection because the Democratic majority is required to have a shot at getting the badly needed reform.
Edgar said the public suffers from the existing system that depends on large donations from wealthy individuals and political action committees.
He pointed out that Wall Street “spent over a billion dollars” to dole out cash and pay lobbyists in the nation’s capital “and kept Congress and regulators at bay, until it was too late.”
Edgar said Congress needs to spend its time “working on solutions to the country’s problems,” not scurrying after donations for the next campaign.
For more information, please see www.fairelectionsnow.org.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
“The current system is a built-in incumbent protection benefit,” said U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, a Cheshire Democrat whose 5th District includes New Britain, Plainville and Plymouth.
One of the proposal’s champions – U.S. Rep. John Larson, an East Hartford Democrat whose 1st District includes Bristol – said the measure is so important that he hopes to push it through the House before it adjourns in August.
“We have a chance, a good chance, to fix the system this year,” said Bob Edgar, who heads Common Cause, a group that has long pushed for reform of a system it says gives too much power to wealthy donors and special interests.
The plan calls for congressional candidates to raise a large number of small campaign donations in order to qualify for federal funding that would bring them as much as the average national congressional campaign forked over.
Appearing with supporters at a press conference at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Larson said the money necessary to fund the plan could come from selling airwave rights, but he’s open to other ideas.
Larson, who has raised far more campaign cash than his challengers for years, said that Connecticut’s state campaign finance program can be “a model” for the nation.
“States have shown overwhelming success in reducing the influence of big donors” when they’ve adopted campaign finance, Larson said.
“Lawmakers are able to tend to the business of their constituents rather than spending their time dialing for dollars. It is time to bring real change to Washington,” Larson said.
With Larson’s leadership post as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Murphy said, he is optimistic that Congress can follow Connecticut’s lead in overhauling the way it runs campaigns.
The Fair Elections Now Act that all of Connecticut’s members of Congress have endorsed “would not only level the playing field for candidates of lower economic status; it would also limit the influence of large contributors, corporations, and special interest groups in elections, and help restore the integrity and transparency of the entire process,” Murphy said.
Murphy’s sole challenger, Republican Justin Bernier of Farmington, called on the Democratic incumbent to abide by its fund-raising terms immediately rather than waiting for legislation.
Murphy said he hadn’t seen Bernier’s letter, but had no intention of taking up the challenge.
Murphy said there is nothing wrong with playing by the existing rules while strongly urging their reform.
Larson said candidates can’t endanger their own reelection because the Democratic majority is required to have a shot at getting the badly needed reform.
Edgar said the public suffers from the existing system that depends on large donations from wealthy individuals and political action committees.
He pointed out that Wall Street “spent over a billion dollars” to dole out cash and pay lobbyists in the nation’s capital “and kept Congress and regulators at bay, until it was too late.”
Edgar said Congress needs to spend its time “working on solutions to the country’s problems,” not scurrying after donations for the next campaign.
For more information, please see www.fairelectionsnow.org.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
May 8, 2009
Despite fundraising advantage, Larson pushes campaign finance reform
During the past four congressional elections, U.S. Rep. John Larson has raised $2.80 in campaign cash for every penny that his Republican challengers have collected.
No doubt that fundraising advantage helped Larson, an East Hartford Democrat whose 1st District includes Bristol, crush each of his opponents.
Since 2001, he has raked in nearly $4 million in campaign cash compared to the $14,000 hauled in by Republican hopefuls.
Three of Larson’s GOP challengers four opponents in these races didn’t raise any money at all.
Oddly. though, given his success with the current campaign finance system, Larson is taking steps to make the playing field fairer.
The Fair Elections Now plan that he’s trumpeting would essentially ensure that his challengers have the same campaign money that he gets as long as they can clear some relatively minor hurdles.
"Elections should be decided on the basis of who the best candidate is, not just who raises the most money,” Larson said last fall. “And, members of Congress should be freed to spend their time legislating rather than fundraising.”
Larson and U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, a North Carolina Republican, are the main sponsors of the bill in the U.S. House.
In a letter to House colleagues recently, Larson wrote, “There is no question that public confidence in Congress is being eroded by the perception that big contributions from Washington insiders have come to dominate our campaigns. Many of our constituents are left to wonder if we represent their needs or the needs of our big donors.
He said the “never-ending pressure we face to raise money cuts into the time we have to meet with our constituents and take the considerable time needed to study, understand, and offer common sense solutions to our country's growing problems.”
Switching to public financing of campaigns would help, Larson argued.
The proposed measure is modeled on the state campaign finance programs already in place in Connecticut, Arizona, Maine and North Caroliina, supporters say.
If the federal program were to pass as proposed, House candidates who qualify would wind up getting as much as $900,000 to fund their congressional campaigns – less than Larson collected last year to thrash Joe Visconti, the little-known West Hartford town councilman who took him on.
To qualify, a House candidate would have to take in at least 1,500 contributions from people in their own states and raise a total of $50,000.
Once a candidate qualifies for funding, the measure would provide matches for donations up to $100 on a four-to-one basis until it reached the ceiling for spending on the race.
Candidates could collect an unlimited number of donations of $100 or less from individuals.
After qualifying, small donations, up to $100, would be matched on a four-to-one basis, up to a ceiling at which matching funds would no longer be dispersed. Candidates would be permitted to collect an unlimited number of $100 contributions from individuals. The proposal covers both primary and general elections. The funding for the proposal comes
The plan calls for a small fee to be assessed on firms getting government contracts in order to fund the entire program.
For more information about the Fair Elections Now proposal, check its website at fairelectionsnow.org.
Larson has represented the 1st District since 1998. Though he began to represent Bristol only in 2002, following a post-Census redistricting, The district also includes Berlin, Newington, Southington, Wethersfield and Rocky Hill.
The money race
2008 campaign
John Larson - $1.61 million raised
Joe Visconti - $14,000 raised
2006 campaign
John Larson - $984,000 raised
Scott McLean - $0 raised
2004 campaign
John Larson - $644,000 raised
John Halstead - $0 raised
2002 campaign
John Larson - $673,000 raised
Phil Steele - $0 raised
2000 campaign
John Larson - $769,000 raised
Bob Backlund - $83,000 raised
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
April 27, 2009
Larson's cash crushes GOP foes
Over the past five elections, U.S. Rep. John Larson has raked in $4.67 million in campaign donations while his five Republican challengers have, collectively, raised less than $100,000.
Three of the challengers raised no money at all.
Larson, who has easily buried opponents on Election Day, has raised 49 cents for every penny collected by GOP hopefuls who have taken aim at his 1st District seat since 2000.
Larson, the East Hartford Democrat who represents Bristol, has raised more money from both United Technologies and The Hartford than his challengers have managed to scrounge up from everyone.
In the past four elections, the Republicans have raised $14,000 to oppose Larson. He's raised $4 million.
Larson has pushed for public financing that would even the playing field.
"Elections should be decided on the basis of who the best candidate is, not just who raises the most money. And, members of Congress should be freed to spend their time legislating rather than fundraising," Larson said last fall, after promoting the Fair Elections Now measure.
But so far the Congress has refused to follow the lead of Connecticut and other states that have sought to make financing both more fair and less time-consuming for politicians.
Republicans in Congress generally oppose the idea.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Three of the challengers raised no money at all.
Larson, who has easily buried opponents on Election Day, has raised 49 cents for every penny collected by GOP hopefuls who have taken aim at his 1st District seat since 2000.
Larson, the East Hartford Democrat who represents Bristol, has raised more money from both United Technologies and The Hartford than his challengers have managed to scrounge up from everyone.
In the past four elections, the Republicans have raised $14,000 to oppose Larson. He's raised $4 million.
Larson has pushed for public financing that would even the playing field.
"Elections should be decided on the basis of who the best candidate is, not just who raises the most money. And, members of Congress should be freed to spend their time legislating rather than fundraising," Larson said last fall, after promoting the Fair Elections Now measure.
But so far the Congress has refused to follow the lead of Connecticut and other states that have sought to make financing both more fair and less time-consuming for politicians.
Republicans in Congress generally oppose the idea.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
December 16, 2008
Republicans rake in Bristol cash
From opensecrets.org:
McCain, John (R) $21,000
Connecticut Republican Campaign Committee $13,000
Republican National Committee $12,860
Cappiello, David John (R) $11,200
National Republican Congressional Committee $10,050
Shays, Christopher (R) $9,950
Dodd, Christopher J (D) $5,850
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys $5,000
Larson, John B (D) $4,150
Romney, Mitt (R) $4,050
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Top political campaign contribution from donors living in the 06010 zip code
McCain, John (R) $21,000
Connecticut Republican Campaign Committee $13,000
Republican National Committee $12,860
Cappiello, David John (R) $11,200
National Republican Congressional Committee $10,050
Shays, Christopher (R) $9,950
Dodd, Christopher J (D) $5,850
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys $5,000
Larson, John B (D) $4,150
Romney, Mitt (R) $4,050
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 24, 2008
Nicastro returning more than $10K in public campaign cash
Reporter Jackie Majerus wrote this:
State Rep. Frank Nicastro said he will return more than $10,000 in state-financed campaign funds that he won't need to use this year.
Nicastro, a Bristol Democrat whose new Republican opponent, David L. Norton, is running only a symbolic campaign, said he has stopped spending money on his campaign.
"I spent enough," said Nicastro, who said he is proud of his 100 percent voting record and the work he's done for the district in his first term. "I don't believe I need the rest of the money."
Nicastro said he raised more than $5,000, which qualified him for $25,000 in public financing for his campaign. He said he will return $10,000 to $12,000 of that money.
"I don't feel I should spend that money," said Nicastro. "Because of the circumstances, the rest of the money probably isn't needed."
Nicastro's original opponent in the race this year, Derek Jerome, died this week of an apparent suicide. Norton has stepped in to honor Jerome's belief in giving voters a choice, but has said his is largely a symbolic gesture.
Nicastro, a former longtime Bristol mayor who currently serves on the city council, said he had spent about half the money, mostly on mailings, before he learned of Jerome's death.
At this point, Nicastro said, he has to follow through with the expenditures he's made.
"Everything that I had committed to, I have to honor," said Nicastro, who said he has mailings going on out his positions on criminal justice reform, services for veterans, his voting record and issues involving children's safety. It's too late to cancel those, he said.
"The printing's all been done," said Nicastro. "The checks have been written."
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
July 16, 2008
Wright is first to qualify for public financing
Press release issued last night by 77th District state House contender Chris Wright, a Democrat:
Chris Wright, the Democratic nominee for State Representative in the 77th District, is Bristol’s first legislative candidate to qualify for public financing under the state’s new campaign finance law.
Wright has been notified by the State’s Election Enforcement Commission that he qualified under the new Citizen Election Program. He qualified for the new program by receiving contributions from more than 200 people and raising more than $5,000.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the many people who have supported my candidacy by contributing to my campaign,” Wright said. “Under the new law, I will not be taking any money from lobbyist or special interests. The only special interest I will be fighting for are the voters and residents in our district.”
Wright said he looks forward to a campaign based on issues and the concerns of voters.
“Property tax reform, providing affordable health care and job creation are goals I plan to fight for when elected. I plan to go door to door in the district and hope to hear from as many residents as possible in the weeks ahead,” Wright said.
If you have any questions for Chris, or if you would like to help out with his campaign, you can reach him at home at (860) 261-7656 or by e-mail at WrightforBristol08@gmail.com.
Chris Wright, the Democratic nominee for State Representative in the 77th District, is Bristol’s first legislative candidate to qualify for public financing under the state’s new campaign finance law.
Wright has been notified by the State’s Election Enforcement Commission that he qualified under the new Citizen Election Program. He qualified for the new program by receiving contributions from more than 200 people and raising more than $5,000.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the many people who have supported my candidacy by contributing to my campaign,” Wright said. “Under the new law, I will not be taking any money from lobbyist or special interests. The only special interest I will be fighting for are the voters and residents in our district.”
Wright said he looks forward to a campaign based on issues and the concerns of voters.
“Property tax reform, providing affordable health care and job creation are goals I plan to fight for when elected. I plan to go door to door in the district and hope to hear from as many residents as possible in the weeks ahead,” Wright said.
If you have any questions for Chris, or if you would like to help out with his campaign, you can reach him at home at (860) 261-7656 or by e-mail at WrightforBristol08@gmail.com.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
February 26, 2008
Mocabee "really f-ing mad" at Ward's comments about campaign finance fine
City Republican Party Chairman Art Mocabee said Tuesday that he is “really f-ing mad” that Bristol’s Democratic mayor chose to blame the Republicans for his own failure to obey campaign finance law.
Mocabee said “it makes no sense” for Mayor Art Ward to blame the GOP for filing a complaint rather than simply accepting responsibility for the flawed forms produced by his own campaign – an error that led to a state-imposed $1,500 fine against the mayor’s campaign treasurer.
“Our mayor broke the law,” Mocabee said.
What’s more, said the GOP chief, the Republicans only filed the complaint after unidentified members of the Democratic Town Committee last summer urged them to take action on Ward’s shoddy campaign finance disclosure forms.
The Democratic leadership in Bristol “knew what was going on,” Mocabee said.
“They made the snowball and we threw it,” he said. “They were looking to get Mr. Ward in a bunch of trouble and they succeeded.”
“The information got to us quite clearly. And they were absolutely right,” Mocabee said.
The questions about Ward’s error-plagued campaign finance forms arose last July and August, Mocabee said, at the same time Ward and former city Councilor Ellen Zoppo were locked in a tight mayoral primary race.
Mocabee said that Ward is a 14-year veteran of city politics and “knows campaign finance is critical.”
He said that even though he filed the complaint that led to the fine by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, he had no desire to tar Ward with it. He said he didn’t tell the press about the fine and was content to let the matter slide.
Mocabee said that when a reporter called to ask him about it Monday, he tried to show understanding to both Ward and Robert Dunlap, the mayor’s former campaign treasurer, instead of attempting to score political points.
But Ward lashed into him anyway.
Mocabee said he was stunned that Ward proclaimed that the GOP boss “should be ashamed of himself” for blowing the whistle on campaign finance problems.
Using that argument, said Mocabee, “every voter in Bristol should be ashamed of themselves because the mayor and his campaign manager broke the law. That’s the logic of our mayor right now. That makes absolutely no sense.”
Mocabee said it isn’t reasonable to say he ought to be hanging his head because Ward “failed to follow the law.”
Mocabee, who promised to try to send me electronic copies of Ward’s problem-plagued campaign finance reports, said that the forms have blanks on them for the campaign to fill in the full name, occupation and contribution amounts of each of its donors.
Ward’s forms only listed the donors’ first names, he said.
“How shameful is that? How idiotic is that?” Mocabee asked. “Anyone in their right mind can fill in name, address, city, state and zip code. I mean, c’mon.”
Still, Mocabee said, the state may have “gone to extremes” in its effort to crack down on the potential for corruption. He said he agrees that finding campaign treasurers may be a bad idea because it’s going to become difficult to find anyone willing to do the job if there’s such a risk attached to it.
Dunlap was required to pay the $1,500 fine himself, with no help from Ward.
Mocabee said, though, that he “wouldn’t be surprised if some cash gets exchanged somewhere along the line so Mr. Dunlap can take his vacation” this summer.
Mocabee said he’s glad that Ward is casting the blame for the mistakes on Dunlap.
“It’s admirable that the mayor is standing by his man. And the fact of the matter is, he should,” Mocabee said.
Update at 3:55 p.m.: Once Mocabee learned it would cost $50 to get copies of the relevant forms, he decided not to get them after all. I don't blame him. That was pretty much my thinking, too.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Mocabee said “it makes no sense” for Mayor Art Ward to blame the GOP for filing a complaint rather than simply accepting responsibility for the flawed forms produced by his own campaign – an error that led to a state-imposed $1,500 fine against the mayor’s campaign treasurer.
“Our mayor broke the law,” Mocabee said.
What’s more, said the GOP chief, the Republicans only filed the complaint after unidentified members of the Democratic Town Committee last summer urged them to take action on Ward’s shoddy campaign finance disclosure forms.
The Democratic leadership in Bristol “knew what was going on,” Mocabee said.
“They made the snowball and we threw it,” he said. “They were looking to get Mr. Ward in a bunch of trouble and they succeeded.”
“The information got to us quite clearly. And they were absolutely right,” Mocabee said.
The questions about Ward’s error-plagued campaign finance forms arose last July and August, Mocabee said, at the same time Ward and former city Councilor Ellen Zoppo were locked in a tight mayoral primary race.
Mocabee said that Ward is a 14-year veteran of city politics and “knows campaign finance is critical.”
He said that even though he filed the complaint that led to the fine by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, he had no desire to tar Ward with it. He said he didn’t tell the press about the fine and was content to let the matter slide.
Mocabee said that when a reporter called to ask him about it Monday, he tried to show understanding to both Ward and Robert Dunlap, the mayor’s former campaign treasurer, instead of attempting to score political points.
But Ward lashed into him anyway.
Mocabee said he was stunned that Ward proclaimed that the GOP boss “should be ashamed of himself” for blowing the whistle on campaign finance problems.
Using that argument, said Mocabee, “every voter in Bristol should be ashamed of themselves because the mayor and his campaign manager broke the law. That’s the logic of our mayor right now. That makes absolutely no sense.”
Mocabee said it isn’t reasonable to say he ought to be hanging his head because Ward “failed to follow the law.”
Mocabee, who promised to try to send me electronic copies of Ward’s problem-plagued campaign finance reports, said that the forms have blanks on them for the campaign to fill in the full name, occupation and contribution amounts of each of its donors.
Ward’s forms only listed the donors’ first names, he said.
“How shameful is that? How idiotic is that?” Mocabee asked. “Anyone in their right mind can fill in name, address, city, state and zip code. I mean, c’mon.”
Still, Mocabee said, the state may have “gone to extremes” in its effort to crack down on the potential for corruption. He said he agrees that finding campaign treasurers may be a bad idea because it’s going to become difficult to find anyone willing to do the job if there’s such a risk attached to it.
Dunlap was required to pay the $1,500 fine himself, with no help from Ward.
Mocabee said, though, that he “wouldn’t be surprised if some cash gets exchanged somewhere along the line so Mr. Dunlap can take his vacation” this summer.
Mocabee said he’s glad that Ward is casting the blame for the mistakes on Dunlap.
“It’s admirable that the mayor is standing by his man. And the fact of the matter is, he should,” Mocabee said.
Update at 3:55 p.m.: Once Mocabee learned it would cost $50 to get copies of the relevant forms, he decided not to get them after all. I don't blame him. That was pretty much my thinking, too.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
February 25, 2008
Ward's mayoral campaign pays $1,500 fine for violating state election laws
The state recently socked Mayor Art Ward’s campaign with a $1,500 fine for breaking election laws during last year’s mayoral race.
The State Elections Enforcement Commission levied the fine – which has to be paid personally by Ward’s campaign treasurer – and ordered the campaign to return another $500 along with correcting its campaign spending and donation forms to comply with state statutes.
The state smackdown – the result of a complaint filed by the city Republican Party’s chairman – is one of the largest fines ever issued against a Bristol political campaign. It may be Bristol’s biggest ever.
“It’s just horrendous,” Ward said Monday. “This was politically motivated.”
Ward said there is “a difference between people sincerely trying to do the right thing” in a volunteer position and politicians trying to get away with something shady.
Filing a complaint for minor mistakes that led to a fine that only the treasurer can pay out of his own money is “dastardly,” Ward said.
The campaign’s disclosure forms failed to report the full names, addresses and occupations of donors, improperly paid out petty cash to some campaign workers and failed to specify what it was spending all of its money on.
The problem was that Ward’s campaign treasurer, former city Board of Finance member Robert Dunlap, “was not too well-versed in the procedures that are required to account for a candidate’s finances,” said Art Mocabee, the GOP chairman who filed the complaint.
Mocabee said the mistakes were flagrant and the paperwork “a mess.”
“Yeah, I screwed up, but it had nothing to do with the mayor,” Dunlap said. “I didn’t pay enough attention to the rules and regulations as I should have.”
Dunlap said the problems were “my fault, unintentional, unfortunate, and rather costly to me.”
“I’m not very happy about it,” he said, adding that it cost him his vacation this year.
Mocabee said he doesn’t blame Ward for the errors.
“It’s certainly not Art’s fault. He was probably just assuming Bob knew what he was doing,” Mocabee said.
He also called Dunlap “a great guy and a smart fellow” who just didn’t know the details of the laws governing the reports.
Mocabee said that the errors are “not anything too serious” in the big scheme of things, but they do allow critics to wonder, fairly, if Ward’s aides are “this haphazard” accounting for campaign dollars whether they’ll do any better with the public’s money.
“In an era where ethics is so important, the campaign financing reports cannot be taken lightly and they have to be scrutinized for the highest level of ethics possible,” Mocabee said.
He said the public wants to know for sure that public servants are held accountable.
“If you don’t make the grade, will you make the grade in more serious areas?” Mocabee asked.
The state panel determined – and Dunlap agreed – that nearly $5,000 in reimbursements from the campaign to Ward were not itemized to explain what the money was for. Subsequent filings clarified the spending.
The campaign also took in three donations directly from labor unions, two of them from the Bristol Police union. That’s not allowed, the state agency said, and ordered the money returned to the unions.
Mocabee said he viewed it as one of his jobs as the GOP’s city chairman to check the reports filed by Republican candidates “to make sure we’re doing the right thing.”
He said he looked over Ward’s filings “to make sure the other guys are doing the right thing.”
When he saw that they were not, Mocabee said, he filed the complaint with the state regulatory agency that monitors campaign finance disclosure.
Ward said that filing the complaint was “very cavalier” of Mocabee because he knew the stakes for Dunlap. He said that the GOP chairman should have just called Dunlap and asked him to correct the forms.
Ward said Mocabee “surely should be ashamed of himself.”
The mayor said that most of the campaign finance forms filed by municipal candidates in Bristol have mistakes that would lead to fines if anyone filed a complaint. But those involved in the process understand, he said, that volunteers who are not campaign professionals don’t always know exactly what’s required and they make allowances.
Ward said that if the state is going to be so stringent, fewer people will run for office and those who do will wind up having to pay professional campaign finance outfits to make sure the reports are done to the strict standards apparently required today.
He said state lawmakers should step in to prevent people such as Dunlap from getting socked personally for trivial errors.
“I can’t even describe how I feel about this whole situation,” said Ward.
“I’ll stand by my treasurer,” the mayor said. “I know that everything he did was done with the utmost of integrity.”
“I apologize to him for his efforts being paraded as if he purposefully created some errors,” Ward said. “That’s sad. It’s really sad.”
Click here for PDF of the full report from the Elections Enforcement Commission
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
The State Elections Enforcement Commission levied the fine – which has to be paid personally by Ward’s campaign treasurer – and ordered the campaign to return another $500 along with correcting its campaign spending and donation forms to comply with state statutes.
The state smackdown – the result of a complaint filed by the city Republican Party’s chairman – is one of the largest fines ever issued against a Bristol political campaign. It may be Bristol’s biggest ever.
“It’s just horrendous,” Ward said Monday. “This was politically motivated.”
Ward said there is “a difference between people sincerely trying to do the right thing” in a volunteer position and politicians trying to get away with something shady.
Filing a complaint for minor mistakes that led to a fine that only the treasurer can pay out of his own money is “dastardly,” Ward said.
The campaign’s disclosure forms failed to report the full names, addresses and occupations of donors, improperly paid out petty cash to some campaign workers and failed to specify what it was spending all of its money on.
The problem was that Ward’s campaign treasurer, former city Board of Finance member Robert Dunlap, “was not too well-versed in the procedures that are required to account for a candidate’s finances,” said Art Mocabee, the GOP chairman who filed the complaint.
Mocabee said the mistakes were flagrant and the paperwork “a mess.”
“Yeah, I screwed up, but it had nothing to do with the mayor,” Dunlap said. “I didn’t pay enough attention to the rules and regulations as I should have.”
Dunlap said the problems were “my fault, unintentional, unfortunate, and rather costly to me.”
“I’m not very happy about it,” he said, adding that it cost him his vacation this year.
Mocabee said he doesn’t blame Ward for the errors.
“It’s certainly not Art’s fault. He was probably just assuming Bob knew what he was doing,” Mocabee said.
He also called Dunlap “a great guy and a smart fellow” who just didn’t know the details of the laws governing the reports.
Mocabee said that the errors are “not anything too serious” in the big scheme of things, but they do allow critics to wonder, fairly, if Ward’s aides are “this haphazard” accounting for campaign dollars whether they’ll do any better with the public’s money.
“In an era where ethics is so important, the campaign financing reports cannot be taken lightly and they have to be scrutinized for the highest level of ethics possible,” Mocabee said.
He said the public wants to know for sure that public servants are held accountable.
“If you don’t make the grade, will you make the grade in more serious areas?” Mocabee asked.
The state panel determined – and Dunlap agreed – that nearly $5,000 in reimbursements from the campaign to Ward were not itemized to explain what the money was for. Subsequent filings clarified the spending.
The campaign also took in three donations directly from labor unions, two of them from the Bristol Police union. That’s not allowed, the state agency said, and ordered the money returned to the unions.
Mocabee said he viewed it as one of his jobs as the GOP’s city chairman to check the reports filed by Republican candidates “to make sure we’re doing the right thing.”
He said he looked over Ward’s filings “to make sure the other guys are doing the right thing.”
When he saw that they were not, Mocabee said, he filed the complaint with the state regulatory agency that monitors campaign finance disclosure.
Ward said that filing the complaint was “very cavalier” of Mocabee because he knew the stakes for Dunlap. He said that the GOP chairman should have just called Dunlap and asked him to correct the forms.
Ward said Mocabee “surely should be ashamed of himself.”
The mayor said that most of the campaign finance forms filed by municipal candidates in Bristol have mistakes that would lead to fines if anyone filed a complaint. But those involved in the process understand, he said, that volunteers who are not campaign professionals don’t always know exactly what’s required and they make allowances.
Ward said that if the state is going to be so stringent, fewer people will run for office and those who do will wind up having to pay professional campaign finance outfits to make sure the reports are done to the strict standards apparently required today.
He said state lawmakers should step in to prevent people such as Dunlap from getting socked personally for trivial errors.
“I can’t even describe how I feel about this whole situation,” said Ward.
“I’ll stand by my treasurer,” the mayor said. “I know that everything he did was done with the utmost of integrity.”
“I apologize to him for his efforts being paraded as if he purposefully created some errors,” Ward said. “That’s sad. It’s really sad.”
Click here for PDF of the full report from the Elections Enforcement Commission
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
November 16, 2007
Ward raised nearly twice as much money as Johnson
On his way to winning the mayor’s race this month, Democrat Art Ward raised nearly twice as much money as his Republican challenger.
Ward raked in at least $57,314 compared to GOP hopeful Ken Johnson’s $29,195, according to campaign finance reports filed with the city clerk shortly before the election.
The candidates are required to file a complete accounting in mid-December that would include any last-minute or post-election donations.
At least $5,000 of the money raised by Ward came from city workers or unions representing municipal employees, including $3,000 from Council 4 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
The city’s police union also chipped in $650 to help out Ward.
Among Ward’s other donors were Darlene Coffey, the assistant senior center director, who gave $460; Sean Mowad, a dispatcher, who forked over $145; Democratic Registrar Bob Badal, who gave $150; Police Officer Richard Brown, who forked over $200; and Francis Baehr, an inspector, who chipped in $175.
Among the big donors who also helped Ward was auto dealer Stephen Barberino, who gave $1,000.
Johnson, too, attracted some large donations, including $1,500 from the Realtors Political Action Committee.
The city’s Republican Town Committee helped Johnson out with a $1,200 contribution.
Johnson also got $1,000 from Michael Cucka, a doctor, and Tom Barnes, who heads the Barnes Group.
Detailed reports of the candidates’ fundraising are available at the city clerk’s office.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Ward raked in at least $57,314 compared to GOP hopeful Ken Johnson’s $29,195, according to campaign finance reports filed with the city clerk shortly before the election.
The candidates are required to file a complete accounting in mid-December that would include any last-minute or post-election donations.
At least $5,000 of the money raised by Ward came from city workers or unions representing municipal employees, including $3,000 from Council 4 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
The city’s police union also chipped in $650 to help out Ward.
Among Ward’s other donors were Darlene Coffey, the assistant senior center director, who gave $460; Sean Mowad, a dispatcher, who forked over $145; Democratic Registrar Bob Badal, who gave $150; Police Officer Richard Brown, who forked over $200; and Francis Baehr, an inspector, who chipped in $175.
Among the big donors who also helped Ward was auto dealer Stephen Barberino, who gave $1,000.
Johnson, too, attracted some large donations, including $1,500 from the Realtors Political Action Committee.
The city’s Republican Town Committee helped Johnson out with a $1,200 contribution.
Johnson also got $1,000 from Michael Cucka, a doctor, and Tom Barnes, who heads the Barnes Group.
Detailed reports of the candidates’ fundraising are available at the city clerk’s office.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 23, 2007
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.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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