The State Elections Enforcement Commission on Wednesday approved an $84,450 grant to the campaign of City Council President Tom McCarthy who’s facing State Senator Marilyn Moore in an August 9 Democratic primary. McCarthy will have the money to spend under the state’s Citizens Election Program of publicly funded races in addition to the $15,000 he raised in small donations to qualify for the grant in Connecticut’s 22nd District covering all of Trumbull, the north and western portions of the city and a piece of Monroe.
McCarthy had to raise $15k from 300 donors within those three communities to qualify for the money. Moore’s grant application for public funds is awaiting approval from the SEEC.
This state senate district is considered “party-dominant” that makes candidates eligible for larger grants in primary campaigns. A party-dominant district is one in which the percentage of active electors in the district who are enrolled in a major party exceeds the percentage of active electors in the district who are enrolled in the other major party by at least 20 percentage points, according to the SEEC. The party-dominant districts are determined by the Connecticut Secretary of the State and certified to the Commission.
The other state senator representing Bridgeport, Ed Gomes, is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court Thursday morning to ask Judge Barbara Bellis to place his name on the ballot to face Democratic endorsed Dennis Bradley, chair of the Board of Education, in the August 9 primary. Gomes received enough support at the party convention for a ballot spot but a paperwork snafu led the Office of the Connecticut Secretary of State to reject his candidacy. Bradley has been approved for a partial public grant. If Gomes is placed on the primary ballot both may apply for the grant amount that was awarded McCarthy.
August 9 will also feature two Democratic primaries for State House, school board member Maria Pereira against incumbent Charlie Stallworth and Charlie Coviello against incumbent Andre Baker.
Congratulations, Tom. No Moore fundraisers for you!!! I had the opportunity to attend a great fundraiser for a terrific guy, Adam Heller running for State Rep. in Shelton. His wife is Tom McCarthy’s Treasurer, small world. Great evening at Bricks Tavern and Restaurant in Shelton. On the campaign trail later today, Thursday in Bridgeport. Need to walk off a few lbs.