Even though there isn’t a competition for the mayor’s seat in Ansonia, the city’s two political parties have been raising money for the campaigns of the under ticket candidates.
The fundraising efforts are detailed in campaign finance reports filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission. All candidates and town committees are required to file the reports.
As of Sept. 30, the Democratic Town Committee had raised more money overall than the Republican Town Committee.
And — the Democrats also spent more than twice what the Republicans spent on the campaign.
Party officials said the numbers don’t necessarily reflect what will happen on election day.
“It just shows that they’re putting the effort in. They’re getting returns,” said Democratic Town Committee chairman Eileen Krugel.
“It’s not so much how much money is spent, but how much time is spent talking to the people and what your goals are,” said Republican Town Committee chairman Joan Radin.
Democrats
The Democratic Town Committee started the reporting period with $6,673.29 on hand. With the contributions between July 1 and Sept. 30, they had a total of $9,969.29.
The Democrats raised $3,096 in contributions from individuals. They also took in $200 from an advertisement book.
During that reporting period, the group spent $5,929.45.
Article continues after document.
Ansonia Democratic Town Committee Campaign Finance 2011
Expenses for the Democrats during the reporting period include:
- $1,000 in rent for a Main Street storefront for campaign headquarters
- $3,159.59 for signs
- $587 for food
The Democratic Town Committee listed one fundraiser — a pre-election rally that will take place at the John J. Sullivans on Nov. 6.
Krugel said the committee also had a basket raffle at the Ansonia Harvest Festival as a fundraiser. They have more fundraisers planned for October.
“The fundraising is going well,” Krugel said. “There’s a strong effort. There’s a lot of people involved and I’m very proud of the effort.”
Krugel said the Democratic candidates have been working together as a team. The Democrats have a full slate of candidates for positions on the Board of Aldermen, the Board of Education, and other officers such as city clerk and city sheriffs.
“We’re really putting this in as a team effort,” Krugel said. “It’s a group and we like working together.”
Mayor James Della Volpe is running for mayor unopposed, and he hasn’t done any individual fundraising as a result, so there is no campaign finance report filed for Della Volpe.
Republicans
Several of the Republican candidates have been paying for their own campaign signs, Radin said.
The Republican Town Committee has paid for group expenses such as campaign headquarters and fundraising expenses.
Republicans raised $1,438 from individual contributions between July 1 and Sept. 30. They also raised $2,098 selling food at the Seymour Pumpkin Festival.
The group started with $4,053.53 at the beginning of the reporting period. With the fundraising from July 1 to Sept. 30, they had a total of $7,589.53.
During the reporting period, the Republican Town Committee spent $2,238.94.
Article continues after document.
Ansonia Republican Town Committee 2011 Campaign Finance
Expenses included:
- Booths at the Ansonia Harvest Festival and Seymour Pumpkin Festival
- $1,000 for three months rent for a storefront on Bridge Street for the campaign headquarters.
- Food and beverage costs for fundraisers
The Republican ticket has fewer candidates than the Democrats. And the party hasn’t put up a candidate for mayor.
Radin said the goals for the party don’t require that they spent too much money.
“We’re trying to get a little of each party on the board, so we have a little bit of a balance, instead of having one party doing the whole thing,” Radin said. “What we’re trying to go after, I don’t think it means spending a lot of money.”
Candidates that pay for their own campaigns and spend less than $1,000 don’t have to file financial reports with the state.
But Radin said Board of Aldermen Phil Tripp will probably have to file a report because he might have spent more than $1,000.
Board of Alderman candidate John Marini also said he has spent more than $1,000 on his campaign, and plans to file a financial report as well.
Election Day is Nov. 8.
