Cicilline Still Cashing In With High-End Donors
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Despite all the negative attention directed his way since taking office in January, Congressman David Cicilline has maintained support among his large stable of top-level campaign contributors, a GoLocalProv review of campaign finance reports shows.
Cicilline raised $360,000 during the second quarter that ended in June and currently reports having raised nearly $500,000 for the year, thanks in part to dozens of $2,500 donations, the maximum amount an individual is allowed to give.
The list of high-end contributors includes Nortek CEO Richard Bready, CAPCO Steel CEO Michael Caparco, Gilbane Inc. owner William Gilbane and Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMost Big Money From Out Of State
Cicilline has proved to still have a reliable fundraising base in the Ocean State, but the majority of his maximum contributions actually come from out of state. In fact, only ten Rhode Island residents have made $2,500 singular contributions, although a larger number have made more than one $1,000 donation.
The Congressman’s out-of-state high-end funders include Year Up founder Gerald Chertavian, Somerset, Maryland Mayor Jeffrey Slavin, Lynn Fossum of Picerne Millitary Housing and Miami-based Cannon County Knitting Mills executive Martin Granoff.
Cicilline campaign spokesperson Nicole Kayner attributed the strong showing in out of state money the fact that people are put off by Republicans that were unwilling to compromise since taking over the majority in January.
“Congressman Cicilline has continued to receive strong financial backing because of his hard work in Congress where he is fighting to create jobs and protect important programs like Medicare and Social Security,” Kayner said. “While the majority of his contributors were from Rhode Island, he also received support from folks all across the country who are outraged by the extreme ideology of the Republicans in the House and their unwillingness to compromise and find solutions to America's most pressing challenges. They are backing David because he can be trusted to stand-up to the House Republican's far-right social and economic agenda.”
Top Donor: He’s A Proven Fundraiser
One of the Congressman’s top donors since his days as Mayor of Providence is GTECH Senior Vice President Donald Sweitzer, who said the Congressman has proved he knows how to get things accomplished in Washington. He said he spends a lot of time in Washington and that Democratic leadership thinks highly of Cicilline.
Sweitzer said he believes Cicilline did a good job in Providence and has a proven track record as a campaigner and a fundraiser. He said that package makes him difficult to beat for any opponent.
“I think people understand being Mayor of Providence is a tough job, certainly Mayor Taveras is learning that now. [Congressman Cicilline] did a good job as Mayor and brought some integrity back to the city. He’s also an effective campaigner and a proven fundraiser,” Sweitzer said. “He knows how to be an aggressive fundraiser that isn’t offensive.
Sardella: He’ll Be Viewed On What He Does In Washington
Former Newport Mayor Richard Sardella agreed with Sweitzer’s assessment. He said that he hasn’t followed the situation in Providence closely, but that blame could be shared across the board in a lot of cities and towns throughout the state. He said he thinks people will ultimately judge Cicilline by what he does in Washington.
“People have faith in his ability to get things done in Washington,” he said. “He’s honest and straightforward and I think he’ll be viewed on his performance in Washington.”
And perhaps most importantly, Sardella said, voters just have to look at the opposition to decide why they’ll support Cicilline.
“After viewing the last three weeks of the shenanigans of the right wing down there, I think the choice is clear. I’ll try to support David as much as I can,” he said.
He’s The Standard Bearer
In Rhode Island, some political analysts say the Congressman’s fundraising prowess has likely put off any potential of a serious challenge from a Democrat. The only potential candidate said to be weighing his options is Anthony Gemma, who Cicilline defeated last year.
When asked to assess fundraising numbers in July, Quest Research pollster Victor Profughi said Cicilline’s strong fundraising numbers have probably scared away other opponents.
“Certainly Cicilline's big push to build a heavy fundraising effort was more than simply the normal push to get in lots of dollars for any reelection effort,” he said. “I think his success may give some potential Democrat opponents pause, but also send a message to Democrats that despite all of his bad press, he's still the likely standard bearer.”
Pacheco: He’s Getting Things Done
In the end, Democratic Party Chairman Ed Pacheco said the Congressman’s ability to get a jobs bill passed as a freshman proves he has been successful in his first term.
“While we’re proud the Congressman has been able to raise money, it’s the job he’s doing in Washington that will get him reelected,” Pacheco said. “He’s been able as a freshman to get more done than a lot of senior Republicans in Washington. You have members down there that have been there three, four and five terms that have not put a jobs bill forward. Congressman Cicilline did that as a freshman.”
Pacheco said he believes Cicilline’s fundraising will only get stronger.
“Every donation matters no matter what it is,” Pacheco said. “The volume of donations and the spread shows how his support comes from a lot of communities. The Congressman was able to raise $360,000 and that’s while his primary focus was on the work he was doing in Washington. We think that will continue as the election gets closer.”
Related Articles
- NEW: Cicilline Badly Trails Challengers Says Poll
- NEW: Cicilline Blasts GOP on Looming Shutdown
- Congressional Fundraising War: Who’s Winning?
- NEW: Cicilline Calling For Accelerated Withdrawal In Afghanistan
- Cicilline Responds to Republican Attacks
- NEW: Cicilline Highly Rated “Power” Gay Person in U.S.
- Cicilline Sworn in as 1st District US Congressman
- Cicilline Takes on GOP
- Cicilline To Unveil “Make it in America Block Grant” Tuesday
- Cicilline with Money Lead, But Gemma’s in the Game
