Ed Gomes’ Strategic Campaign Risk Versus Newton

State Senator Ed Gomes has told his supporters he’ll wait until the legislative sessions ends in May before filing the state paperwork to officially announce his candidacy for another term. That’s risky business if Gomes, facing an August primary, wants to qualify for the state’s public financing program. Ernie Newton, who occupied Connecticut’s 23rd State Senate District before Gomes, says he’s raised about $5,000, one third home to receive an $85,000 cash infusion of public funds.

Candidates for State Senate must raise $15,000 in contributions from a minimum of 300 district residents to qualify for the $85K grant. It’s easier said than done, but qualifying candidates will have $100K to spend. Gomes does not like raising money and Connecticut’s Citizens Election program is labor intensive. That means  a team of supporters, generally led by labor coalitions and local political operatives must put together a fundraising operation on Gomes’ behalf. There’s no guarantee Newton will qualify for the public financing either but he has started early enough to have his public dough in place by July when the heaviest spending begins for the Aug. 14 primary.

Gomes can raise money simply by filing candidate paperwork with the State Elections Enforcement Commission. There’s no prohibition on Gomes raising money during the legislative session, except from lobbyists. But if he waits until May to form a candidate committee he’ll be challenged to spend on a level with potential challengers.

Newton, who has high name recognition in the district, has been schmoozing political operatives as well for the party endorsement in May. State Rep. Andres Ayala has filed an exploratory committee for a possible run for Gomes’ seat. He can roll money raised from the exploratory into a candidate committee whether the State Senate seat or if he chooses to seek reelection to his State House position. Ayala is also in uncharted territory. He has a low profile outside of his State House seat. The 23rd Senatorial covers a majority of Bridgeport and a portion of Stratford.