How Much Have the Candidates Raised?
Cape Cod Times version of this story
WASHINGTON, March 1- Nine of the ten U.S. Representatives from Massachusetts received most of their campaign contributions from within the state in 2005, while Democratic Sens. John F. Kerry and Edward M. Kennedy received most of their contributions from out of state.
U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Newton, collected only 33.6 percent of his funds last year from Massachusetts contributors, according to the PoliticalMoneyLine.com, a nonprofit organization that analyzes campaign finance data compiled by the Federal Election Commission.
The FEC, an independent regulatory agency, discloses campaign finance information and enforces provisions of the law, including limits and prohibitions on contributions. Members of Congress are required to file their data quarterly.
PoliticalMoneyLine.com reported that 91 percent of Mr. Kerry’s itemized contributions–donations of $200 or more–was from states other than Massachusetts, with California and New York topping the list. Mr. Kennedy collected 76 percent from out-of -state donors, but with Massachusetts residents contributing more than those in any other state. Overall, Mr. Kerry, whose term doesn’t end until 2008, raised $5,507,537 and Mr. Kennedy, who is up for reelection in November, raised $6,657,973.
Mr. Kerry, unlike most members of the Massachusetts delegation, did not accept money from political action committees. Of Mr. Kennedy’s total campaign receipts, 80 percent were from individuals, and 20 percent from PACs, with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association tied for the largest contribution, with $10,000.
Hollywood, no stranger to congressional campaigns, also gave money to the two senators. Actress Maura Tierney of NBC’s E.R. donated $2,500 to Friends of John Kerry, and actress Susan Sarandon gave $500 to Kennedy for his 2006 race, according to FEC reports. Individuals are allowed to give candidates a maximum of $2,100 and PACS are permitted a maximum of $5,000 per general election and per primary.
Raising a lot of money is one way to scare off potential challengers, said Massie Ritsch, communications director for the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan research organization that tracks money’s effect on elections.
“If you have a large war chest, you are more likely to end up by yourself on the ballot come November because everyone else thinks they can’t possibly raise as much money as you have,” Mr. Ritsch said.
He added that in Massachusetts, where incumbents often do not face significant opposition, fundraising is still necessary if only to prepare for future elections.
“Members of Congress feel like their jobs are always in jeopardy,” Mr. Ritsch said. “They think that they need to prepare for this ominous challenger looming in their minds.”
Labor unions were the largest contributors last year to Reps. John W. Olver, D-Amherst, and James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, accounting for 25 percent of Mr. Olver’s $383,767 in total receipts and 13 percent of Mr. McGovern’s total of $412,311, according to PoliticalMoneyLine.com. Mr. Olver, the senior Democrat on the transportation subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, received $32,500 from transportation union PACs.
In Fitchburg alone, Mr. Olver has earmarked nearly $14 million for several transportation projects, including the construction of the Intermodal Transportation Center’s 400-car parking garage and the purchase of new passenger buses and vans by the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority.
Mr. McGovern gave more than $20,000 to other Democratic campaigns across the country, including $10,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and $1,000 to Chris John for Senate from Louisiana.
Stuart Rothenberg, editor and publisher of The Rothenberg Political Report, an independent newsletter that analyzes races for the U.S. House and Senate, said donating to other campaigns is “a strategic decision.”
“If and when the Democrats take control of the House, they will have chips now with these people and colleagues that might vote for them for the leadership,” Mr. Rothenberg said.
According to Mr. Rothenberg, some members of the Massachusetts delegation may be saving money to make a run at a Senate seat, or if their districts change because of redistricting.
“It’s a worthwhile investment for them,” Mr. Rothenberg said.
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