State Senator Herron Gaston’s reelection campaign will be flush with roughly $110,000 after the State Elections Enforcement Commission on Thursday approved his application for a public campaign grant for his August 13 Democratic primary against challenger Ernie Newton.
The commission has not yet approved grant applications for the four contenders in the adjoining 22nd District to replace a retiring Marilyn Moore: law school professor Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, former Mayor Bill Finch, City Councilman Scott Burns and ex councilman Tyler Mack.
The commission’s next meeting to review public money requests will take place July 24.
Those campaigns are operating on the low seed money required to leverage the pot of dough.
Under Connecticut’s Citizens Election Program senate candidates in party dominant districts must raise more than $17,000 in donations $320 and less with 300 of those contributions coming from electors residing in the respective district communities to secure about $110,000 for the primary and another $125,000 for the primary winner in the general election.
The 22nd District covers about one third of Bridgeport, all of Trumbull and a portion of Monroe.
Gaston will likely outspend Newton, who represents the East End on the City Council, two to one. Newton occupied the 23rd Senatorial seat 20 years ago. He’s barred from participating in the voluntary CEP program due to his federal conviction that forced him to resign the seat.
Newton is raising money the traditional way with a maximum $1,000 personal contribution with a goal to raise $50,000 for the primary.
The senate district covers two thirds of Bridgeport and western Stratford.
Newsworthy that Senator Gaston, incumbent Senator for 2/3 of Bridgeport citizens, has received approval for State campaign funds? Yes.
And Councilman Newton, by law, because of past activity is not eligible to apply and must rely on the traditional system of personal contributions. Not news.
But is it newsworthy that all four candidates for the 22d Senatorial district have to wait one more week? It’s worth considering that SEEC has much responsibility for election service and oversight, but funding has not been commensurate with challenges by any means.
Both of the Senators, post-primary and after the November election, must consider how to restore SEEC to full strength to protect our active democratic rights around voting, funding elections, and participation in actual civic community engagement. Will they see that as an issue? Time will tell.