Campaign Money

There's been some talk in the comments section lately on campaign money. Let us chime in.

First, candidates for local office like City Council do not need to file reports with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance (although Boston, Lowell, Worcester and Springfield do). They do, however, need to file reports with the city election office, and those are open to the public for viewing. We'd be very interested in seeing those reports, but getting to City Hall during business hours is impossible for us right now.

Second, candidates can do just about anything with their money, as long it advances their political standing. So, along with buying ads and campaign signs, they can also sponsor a church event (even if you don't agree with that church) or sponsor a hole at a charity golf tournament (even if you don't like golf or charities). That also extends to making donations to other political candidates. Certainly, a mayor may want to make contributions to top state officials to curry favor. A state representative may want to give money to the speaker to get a seat at the big table. It's all legal.

We did a quick OCPF search from January of 2000 to present of what consider the Big Four in Fitchburg politics: The mayor, the state rep, the rep heir apparent, and the state senator. Here's what we found:

Dan Mylott, through committees or individual donations, has give $740 to state political candidates. He's given to Sen. Robert Antonioni, Rep. Emile Goguen and Sheriff Guy Glodis. His most recent donation, and only one this year, was $100 to GOP gubernatorial candidate Kerry Healey.

Goguen has delivered over $3,000 to candidates, although only $300 are directly from his committee. He's donated to Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi, 2002 Democrat gubernatorial candidate Shannon O'Brien, House Ways and Means Chair John Rogers, and Leominster Rep. Jennifer Flangan, and of course Glodis.

Stephen DiNatale has donated $300 through a committee, including $200 to Worcester DA shoo-in Joe Early. He's given an additional $275 to candidate, including Antonioni and -- say it all together -- Glodis.

Antonioni has been very quiet, with just $200. Half to Goguen, and half to Robert Rice, who ran for the Gardiner rep seat.