One month from the Aug. 13 Democratic primary for State Senate, not one among five eligible candidates has qualified for a public campaign grant from the State Elections Enforcement Commission, placing campaigns in a tight spend down if they get there and for those who do not huge underdogs in multi-community districts.
That may change next week when the watchdog commission meets Wednesday and Thursday to approve grants recommended by staff.
Senate candidates must raise $17,300 from at least 300 individuals residing in municipalities in their districts to receive a public grant of roughly $110,000 for a primary and $124,000 for the general election. Campaigns may only accept small dollar contributions from certain individuals—the maximum contribution is $320—and no contributions from state contractors or PACs.
Four candidates – former Mayor Bill Finch, law school professor Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, City Councilman Scott Burns and ex Councilman Tyler Mack are participating in the voluntary program to replace a retiring Marilyn Moore in the Bridgeport, Trumbull and Monroe 22nd District.
The competitors were handcuffed by Moore’s late retirement announcement, the last day of the legislative session in May, to line up the public grants.
In addition, messaging, mailings, digital outreach, canvassers in a diverse district pitch nuanced and costlier than a single district community. What plays well in Bridgeport may not in the suburbs to reach the respective audiences.
In the Bridgeport-Stratford 23rd District freshman legislator Herron Gaston is trying to qualify for the campaign grant against City Councilman Ernie Newton who occupied the seat 20 years ago.
Newton is barred from receiving public dollars due to his federal conviction two decades ago so he’s raising money the traditional way, with a maximum personal contribution of $1,000 and a goal of hitting $50,000. Assuming Gaston receives his grant Newton will be heavily outspent but says his name recognition will make up for the spending disadvantage.
