Connecticut Democrats are resurrecting the ad book, a fundraising tool banned for use by state candidates as part of the campaign finance reforms passed in 2005.
The Democrats are selling space in ad books to be distributed at the 63rd annual Jefferson Jackson Bailey fundraising dinner, where Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will be the keynote speaker. Malloy can’t use ad books, but it’s not against the law to suggest to donors that he might see them.
The proceeds will be be used for federal campaigns, which is legal. The party is gearing up for its second hotly contested race for an open U.S. Senate seat in consecutive cycles.
Ads are being sold at rates ranging from $125 for a quarter page to $500 for a full page.
“With an estimated attendance of 1,500 people, your ad will be seen by many of Connecticut’s most enthusiastic Democrats,” reads a solicitation that went out today, inexplicably, to the press.