Today thanks to OCPF (the state’s Office of Campaign and Political Finance) we got a first look at the fundraising prowess of the three candidates for Scott Brown’s The People’s state senate seat. Political newcomer and Emergency Room Physician Dr. Peter Smulowitz of Needham handily outraised his opponents, both of whom are sitting State Reps. This is very unusual, as incumbent elected officials almost always have the advantage when it comes to fundraising.
Democratic State Rep. Lida Harkins of Needham raised a little over $48,000, and has spent about $27,000 so far.
http://www.efs.cpf.state.ma.us…
Republican State Rep. Richard Ross of Wrentham raised over $55,000 and spent almost $31,000
http://www.efs.cpf.state.ma.us…
Smulowitz, on the other hand, has raised more than $69,000 so far, although he has already burned through more than $66,000, about half of it on direct mail by the looks of it.
http://www.efs.cpf.state.ma.us…
How doe this alter the race? Well, money doesn’t vote, but that said it’s obviously better to have more than your opponent rather than less. I think it’s important to notice that while Rep. Harkins seems to be saving some of her haul for after the Democratic Primary, Smulowitz appears to be spending everything he’s got on the primary itself.
For a political newcomer who is facing off against a well-known local official, this is probably wise.
It’s probably also important to note that a sizable chunk of Rep. Harkins’ money came from registered lobbyists and her own colleagues in the legislature. These individuals have a much lower limit on how much money they can give to individual candidates each cycle in Massachusetts, so that could make her fundraising more complicated going forward. Smulowitz and Ross will probably be able to go back to their non-lobbyist/elected official donors and hit them up for more money later- Harkins won’t have that option.