Mayor Drew Ends Re-Election Campaign With $42K Surplus

The mayor wrapped up last year's campaign for re-election with a 42,000 surplus, funds he has yet to determine how to disburse by the end of March, according to the Hartford Courant.

Dan Drew's 2013 campaign earned $77,000 from individuals and $16,075 from committees, according to the Courant. 

According to the state Elections Enforcement Commission, candidates must donate by March 31 to one of the following: a party committee, ongoing political committee, contributors to the committee on a prorated basis, the Citizens Election Fund or a tax-exempt, tax-deductible organization. 

Drew could conceivably donate his excess cash to Malloy's re-election campaign if the governor announces his bid for a second term.

On Election Day, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy swept in to Middletown Democratic headquarters to work the phones for Mayor Dan Drew's re-election bid. Malloy has yet to announce if he will run for re-election in 2014. If he does, he may face some formidable Republican challengers, including Tom Foley, who spoke to the Connecticut Citizens Defense League earlier this month in Middletown.

Drew, 32, who had no Republican challenger in November, earned 5,097 votes to Realistic Balance candidate John Kilian's 955.

Following the election, Kilian announced he would donate the leftover funds in his campaign to the Buttonwood Tree. According to treasurer Ebony Milling, that check was for $67.

"Since the campaign ended, people have been lining up to solicit me for my candidate committee surplus," Kilian said. "After due dilligence, I am going to direct my treasurer to disburse the entire kit and caboodle left in the Citizens for Kilian account to The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural Center. They are a local institution that plays an important role in our community, and they are in need of financial support from the community."

Kilian and other Realistic Balance candidates filed a suit in Middletown Superior Court last year after a filing technicality pushed the majority of the party's nominees off the ballot.

How do you think the mayor should spend his excess campaign donations? Tell us in the comments section below.

Related Middletown Patch Stories

• Drew Raised $97,970 in Mayor's Race
• Dan Drew Raises $41,362 in Latest Finance Report Filing
• Despite $88K in War Chest, Drew Taking 3rd Party Rival…
• Mayor Drew Raises $62,000 For Re-Election War Chest
• Middletown Mayor Dan Drew Overwhelmingly Wins Second Term
• Drew Running Unopposed; GOP's Nov. Slate Includes Ex-Mayor…
• Malloy Publicly Endorses Dan Drew For Mayor