Mary Beth Polley | Fall 2000 Headlines

Martin Meehan's Political Contributions

By Mary Beth Polley

Congressman Martin T. Meehan (D-Lowell) has close to $1.7 million in his campaign coffers even though he is running unopposed for his fifth term, according to Federal Election Commission reports released last week.

In September, Rep. Meehan raised $60,730 in individual and political party committee contributions with more than $8500 coming from attorneys and individuals in the real estate industry. Rep. Meehan continued his efforts to raise more campaign cash last weekend at two fund-raisers attended by President Bill Clinton which raised an additional $260,000 for the fifth-district Congressman.

Rep. Meehan said in an interview yesterday he has filled his war chest over the last two years to fight off potential challengers for this election. Until two weeks ago when Lawrence City Councilman Marc LaPlante dropped out of the race, he did face Republican opposition. In the primary, he also faced two Democratic challengers - Thomas P. Tierney of Framingham and Joseph F. Osbaldeston of Ayer.

"Unfortunately, money is a factor in a campaign," Rep. Meehan said. "In an election, I'd rather come from a strong position."

Now that he'll be unopposed on Nov. 7, his campaign funds, Rep. Meehan said, "could be used in another election."

He would not say, though, which election.

"I've learned not to speculate on what I would or wouldn't do in an election," Rep. Meehan said. "If a position opened up where I could do some good for middle-class and working families, then I would consider it."

Massachusetts's law would prevent Rep. Meehan from using his Congressional campaign cash to run for state office. According to the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance, money raised during a federal election cannot be transferred to a state campaign.

Rep. Meehan has spent $400,000, so far on his campaign and he spent almost $33,000 last month, according to FEC reports.

Mr. LaPlante, his former opponent, raised $30,654 and spent $31,000.

Rep. Meehan does not take PAC contributions but one of the largest contributors to his campaign last month was Lynne Wasserman, daughter of movie mogul Lew Wasserman. She gave Rep. Meehan $1000 for the primary and $1000 for the general election, the most an individual can contribute to a federal candidate. Lynne Wasserman hosted a reception in Beverly Hills for the Massachusetts Congressional delegation in honor of Rep. Meehan during the Democratic National Convention in August.

During the Convention, Rep. Meehan spent more than $4,000 on hotel rooms for a campaign staffer, his son, his wife and himself at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA.

Rep. Meehan stayed in California for over a week doing interviews with various media at the request of the Gore campaign, said Bill McCann, Rep. Meehan's spokesman, as well as using that time to network with other Democratic politicians and supporters.

While there, Rep. Meehan also hosted a $700 dinner at Spago restaurant in West Hollywood for politicians and supporters.

Advertising was Rep. Meehan's single biggest expense with $7675 going to the Lowell Sun, $6224 going to the Eagle Tribune and $1815 going to the Postmaster of Lowell for mailings.

Rep. Meehan has also used his campaign funds to help other Democrats in their elections in an effort for the Democrats to win back control of Congress.

"The Democrats are in a position to take back the house and Marty is playing a role in that effort," Mr. McCann said.

In this election cycle, Rep. Meehan has given $40,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, $10,000 to the Massachusetts Democratic Party and $2000 to Democrat Terry Van Horne's who is running for Congress in the 4th District of Pennsylvania.

According to Larry Makinson, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, a non-partisan campaign finance watchdog group based in Washington, Congressmen donate to their political parties and their fellow party members for more than just team spirit.

"Besides filling their quota, giving money to their party is considered a gold star and might lead to plum committee assignments," Mr. Makinson said.

If the Democrats retake the House of Representatives, Rep. Meehan could chair the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel or the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Research and Development.