Michael Jarjura said Wednesday he has raised the $75,000 in small contributions needed to qualify for the public financing of his campaign for comptroller.
“This is fantastic news,” the Waterbury mayor said during a phone interview. He intends to file the necessary paperwork at the State Elections Enforcement Commission on Thursday, when the commission is expected to approve more than $2 million for the gubernatorial campaign of Republican Michael C. Fedele.
Jarjura faces the state’s health care advocate, Kevin Lembo, in a Democratic Primary Aug. 10.
Lembo, the Democratic Party endorsed candidate, is also working to raise enough money to qualify for the $375,000 in public financing by the July 16th deadline. The winner of the primary can receive $750,000 in public financing for the general election.
Jarjura said the “bulk” of the donations to his campaign came from the Waterbury area and less than $1,000 from out-of-state residents.
Fedele will be the second candidate for governor to get funding under the Citizens’ Election Program.
Democrat Dan Malloy has received $2.5 million, a basic grant of $1.25 million for a gubernatorial primary and a supplemental grant to partisally offset spending by Ned Lamont, who is largely self-financing his campaign.
Based on spending by the endorsed Republican, Tom Foley, Fedele also is eligible for a supplemental grant.