Mayor Drew Raises $62,000 For Re-Election War Chest

In the last three months, Middletown Mayor Dan Drew has raised just over $61,920 for his re-election campaign, according to forms filed in the town's clerk office by treasurer Lisa Santangelo on Monday.

Two years ago at this time, Drew had raised $24,356 when he faced off against three-term incumbent Republican Mayor Sebastian Giuliano.

Figures for the campaign finance reporting period that began April 1 and ended July 10 show Drew raised $21,587. From the Jan. 1 to March 31 reporting period, Drew raised $30,508.

This time around, there is question whether a Republican opponent will step forward.  

According to Ken McClellan, chairman of the Middletown Republican Town Committee, candidates for the entire slate won't be announced until after the nominating committee meets on Tuesday.

"We do have a number of individuals who have announced their intention to seek party nominations, and we are interviewing them, in preparation to prepare a slate for the Town Committee election of candidates," McClellan says.

Donations this quarter comprised smaller dollar amounts compared to the first three months of fundraising.

In the period since April 1, individual donations ranged from $20 to $1,000, including top contributions from:

• Michael Silvestrini of Greenskies, $1,000
• Essex First Selectman Norm Needleman $650 total
• Joseph Vinci Sr., $500 ($1,000 in total)
• David Papandrea, Centerplan Co., $500
• Attorney Ralph Wilson, $500.
• Leslie Pazdar, homemaker, of Glastonbury, $500
• Jason Rudnick of Centerplan, $500
• Michael Lombardi, $500 ($1,000)
• Rich Jukonski ,$500 ($1,000 total)
• Lobbyist and Attorney Ryan Barry, $350 ($1,000 total)
• Lobbyist and Attorney Peter Cimini, $250 ($750 total)
• Lobbyist Jeff Zyjeski, $250 ($600 total)

Committee donations included:

• VA Plumbers and Steamfitters 777, $1,500
• CEVI PAC, $500
• AT&T Connecticut Employees PAC, $300 ($800 total)
• SEIU Local 32BJ, $500
• Prosperity for Connecticut, $500 ($875 total)
• Political Action Together Legislative Educational Committee, $250 ($1,250 total)

As far as expenditures, on May and June, a total of $5,600 was paid to The Vinci Group of Manchester for fundraising and consulting, and other funds have been spent on website work, software, food and beverages, postage and office supplies, according to the filing.

Biggest donors during that time frame were:

• Attorney Eric Hard, $1,000
• Attorney Stanley Cohen, $1,000
• Attorney Barbara Smith, $1,000
• Tamba Marino, American Contractors, $1,000
• Consultant David Cornett, $1,000
• Alfonso Barbbarotta, AFB Management, $1,000
• Accountant Shanthini Jayanthan, $1,000
• Nitin Koppiker, Criticare, $1,000

Committee donations included:

• Operating Engineers Continuing Political Committee, $1,500
• Central CT Carpenters $1,000
• Connecticut Laborers' Political League, $1,500
• Sheet Metal Workers, $1,500
• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, $1,000

Final campaign finance figures for 2011 showed Drew raised a total of $97,970 for his race.

The Middletown Democratic Town Committee is expected to announce its full slate of candidates on July 18 and the Republicans on July 16.

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