Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

Even without challengers, CT lawmakers spend lots of campaign cash

  • Politics
  • by Ana Radelat
  • February 18, 2016
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

Washington – They may not have well-funded challengers, or any political rivals at all, but the members of  Connecticut’s delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives continue to raise campaign money and spend a lot of it.

A Connecticut Mirror analysis of the spending habits of the lawmakers’ campaigns last year found that they spent money on traditional campaign expenses, such as fundraising and campaign staff. But they also spent tens of thousands of dollars on flowers and gifts for constituents, restaurant meals, travel and tickets to sporting events.

Related links

Search the disbursement database

Campaign finance

Where Connecticut politicians spent their campaign money

Dave Levinthal of the Center for Public Integrity says the Federal Elections Commission prohibition on spending campaign cash for personal use does not mean lawmakers do not use their war chests for things that may provide personal benefit along with political gain.

“Travel, gifts to constituents, those wouldn’t be the typical campaign expenses,” Levinthal said. “But members of Congress who have sufficient funds and no challengers per se can use their money in a way that benefits them politically even if it isn’t going toward the standard election-year expenses.”

Most Connecticut House members fit into Levinthal’s definition of members of Congress who have sufficient campaign funds and poorly funded challengers.  They raised a lot of money last year, and spent some of it, although how much varied from member to member.

U.S. Rep. John Larson at a recent campaign stop with Granby's Lost Acres Volunteer Fire Dept.

Facebook photo

U.S. Rep. John Larson at a campaign stop with Granby’s Lost Acres Volunteer Fire Deptartment in 2014.

The campaign of Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, spent about $762,000 in 2015, ending the year with about $417,000 in cash on hand. Larson does not have a challenger.

The campaign of Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, spent $467,000 and ended the year with $72,000. DeLauro does not have a challenger.

Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, has four Republican challengers, none of whom have yet to file any campaign finance data with the FEC. Her campaign spent about $300,000 and had $661,000 at year’s end.

Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, is facing Republican Daria Irene Novak, who raised less than $2,500 last year. Courtney’s campaign spend $272,000 and ended the year with $837,000.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney at the U.S. Capitol

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney at the U.S. Capitol

The campaign of Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, spent $353,000 and had $1.7 million in cash on hand at the end of the year.  Republican John Shaban, who raised about $44,000 last year, is challenging Himes.

For DeLauro, Larson and Himes, the largest checks their campaigns cut went to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for dues. DeLauro paid $180,000: Larson paid $155,000 and Himes $110,000. Courtney only paid the DCCC $11,000, and Esty paid $5,000.

“Elizabeth, being the most junior member and in the most competitive district, pays the least dues,” said campaign spokesman Tony Baker.

Meanwhile DeLauro campaign manager Jimmy Tickey said that, “as a member of the Democratic leadership, Rosa is proud to fulfill her obligations to support the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and candidates.” DeLauro is co-chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.

After her DCCC dues, DeLauro’s biggest campaign expense was the $131,000 spent on payroll. She is the only member of the House delegation to hire a full-time, year-round campaign staffer to help with fundraising and political outreach.

Although she has no challenger, Tickey said, “​Rosa is looking forward to another energetic re-election campaign this year. “

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District

Food, drink and flowers

Connecticut lawmakers spent a lot of money on food and drink last year. Eateries frequented by Connecticut lawmakers ranged from Dunkin’ Donuts to some of the best restaurants in Washington, D.C., and Connecticut.

Larson’s campaign, for example, spent more than $41,000 on catering and more than $43,000 on restaurant meals.

Barry Feldman, Larson campaign treasurer, said Larson invited “past and prospective campaign donors, campaign staff and volunteers, campaign consultants, colleagues, political contacts and supporters” to meals.

Larson’s campaign also spent nearly $29,000 on flowers and gifts.

Quinnipiac political science professor Scott McLean said spending on meals and gifts fosters goodwill, which is invaluable in the world of politics.

“When incumbents have no challengers and plenty of funding, one of the things they spend money on is building loyalty for the future,” McLean said.

And by building goodwill,members of Congress are warding off potential future challenges, McLean said. The ability to raise and spend money is an advantage congressional incumbents have that helps them have high re-election rates, he said.

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District.

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District.

Another big expense for the Larson campaign was travel. It spent more than $43,000 on travel expenses, including dozens of trips from Washington, D.C., to Connecticut and back. Usually trips back and forth to the district are paid for by a lawmaker’s office expense. Feldman said Larson shifted this expense to his campaign – which is permissible – to have more money in his office account for other things.

Since it takes money to make money, Larson spent more money than any other Connecticut House member last year on fundraising.

Himes spent the most on consultants. Himes spokesman Patrick Malone said there is a reason for that.

“Toward the beginning of last year, the campaign transitioned all fundraising to one outside consultant instead of splitting those duties between an outside consultant and a campaign-employed finance director,” he said. “This led to relatively higher consultant fees for the year.”

Like Larson, Courtney spent campaign funds on a new car last year, about $25,000.

A Courtney campaign aide said the campaign bought a grey Ford Taurus to replace a car purchased in 2006.

“The FEC ruled that if the car is used 95 percent for campaign or official usage, then the campaign should pay for it,” he said. “Joe has his own car that he uses for personal use.”

Connecticut lawmakers also used their campaign accounts to donate to other Democrats, many of whon are in competitive races. Larson led the way, with about $63,000 in donations.

U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, speaking to supporters.

CTMirror File Photo

U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, speaking to supporters.

Charities were also beneficiaries of Connecticut political money.

For instance, Larson’s campaign gave $5,000 to Connecticut Public Broadcasting and $2,500 to St. Patrick and St. Anthony Church.

Courtney gave $250 to the town of Vernon Police Dog Fund, and DeLauro gave $250 to Associated Irish Societies.

All of this spending is well within what is allowed under federal election law, although Levinthal says “there’s definitely a gray area” that allows members of Congress to make expenditures that aren’t strictly campaign-related.

“Everything is allowed as long as you don’t’ cross the very bright line that bans using campaign funds to send your kid to college or buy a house,” he said.

The Connecticut Mirror analysis also found that much of the delegation’s campaign money was spent outside of Connecticut, on fundraising in Washington, D.C., and other out-of-state vendors.

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ana Radelat Ana has written about politics and policy in Washington, D.C.. for Gannett, Thompson Reuters and UPI. She was a special correspondent for the Miami Herald, and a regular contributor to The New York TImes, Advertising Age and several other publications. She has also worked in broadcast journalism, for CNN and several local NPR stations. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Journalism.

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
Equity issues dominate hearing on Lamont’s marijuana bill
by Kelan Lyons and Mark Pazniokas

The administration's testimony took up the hearing's first five hours. More than 130 people are signed up to speak.

Connecticut House joins national civil rights campaign over Black hair styles
by Mark Pazniokas

The Connecticut House voted for a bill intended to protect Black women from discrimination over their hair.

CT legislature poised to make early budget pledge to help cities and towns
by Keith M. Phaneuf

The state House is expected to approve more than $100 million in new, annual PILOT grants to municipalities.

Connecticut GOP picks Susan Hatfield as state chair
by Mark Pazniokas

Susan Hatfield, vice chair of the Connecticut Republican Party, will complete the term of the former chair, J.R. Romano.

Senator alleges voter fraud, but no complaint was filed
by Mark Pazniokas

Rob Sampson said a voter in his district was told an absentee ballot already had been cast in her name.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion Lamont’s new vaccination priorities are simple and smart
by Richard Davies

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont’s new age-eligibility vaccine plan is simple, smart and straightforward. The more complicated the rules are, the greater the chance of screw-ups and of well-connected people getting their shots before they should. The governor is doing a good job.

Opinion Gas pipeline will threaten water quality, wildlife and wetlands
by Susan Eastwood

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has granted tentative approval of the 401 water quality certification for the Pomfret to Killingly natural gas pipeline. I urge DEEP to deny the 401 certification, as the proposed pipeline would violate the Connecticut’s water quality standards, and the conditions in the draft certification fail to protect our streams, wetlands, and wildlife.

Opinion Connecticut and the other Connecticut. Which will endure?
by Ezra Kaprov

What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘Connecticut’? Possibly, you think of a 43-year-old Puerto Rican man who arrived here with his family following Hurricane Maria. He works full-time as a machinist at the Sikorsky plant, and he coaches a prizefighter on the side.

Opinion COVID-19 increases urgency for legislature to pass medical aid-in-dying law
by Dr. Gary Blick

The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the profound tragedy of loved ones dying alone, in a hospital or nursing home, without the care and comfort of loved ones surrounding them. This pandemic also demonstrates the fragility of life, the limits of modern medicine to relieve suffering, and has magnified the systemic racial disparities in our healthcare system, resulting in higher hospitalization and death rates for people in communities of color. We must eradicate these disparities, so everyone has equal access to the full range of end-of-life care options.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO