The state Office of Campaign and Political Finance has a web site that can be searched to find information on contributions that people make to candidates in Massachusetts. To help me understand better the political viewpoints of the four individuals who are running for the vacant 1st Suffolk House seat, I checked to see which campaigns each has given money to.
Mary Berninger has contributed $700 to several candidates, $300 of that to East Boston's former state senator, Bob Travaglini. She also gave to former rep. and current senator Anthony Petruccelli, Suffolk Superior Court Clerk Maura Hennigan, SJC Clerk Maura Doyle and unsuccessful City Council candidate Edward Flynn.
Carlo Basile has given $2,475, including $750 to Kerry Healey's failed gubernatorial campaign, $500 to Petrucelli, $400 to the 2002 run Dan Grabauskas made for the state treasurer's office and $200 to former governor Mitt Romney, also five years ago. He also gave to Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald, Boston City Council hopeful John Connolly, at-large City Councilor Stephen Murphy and Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin.
Jeff Drago donated $1,240, of which $640 went to Petruccelli and $300 to Travaglini. Interestingly, Drago has only given $125 to his boss, Mayor Tom Menino. He also gave to at-large City Councilor Michael Flaherty and the Democratic State Committee.
Gloribell Mota has made a single contribution and that was the $35 she gave to the Deval Patrick campaign for governor last year.
All information is from the state web site, and I apologize if any of its data is incorrect. I encourage voters to go to the site and to do their own research.
11 comments:
i'm glad that you're interested in each candidate's political viewpoints, but how would money that they donate have ANYTHING to do with their "viewpoints"? just because someone donates to a certain political figure, that doesn't mean that he or she agrees with EVERYTHING that the political figure has to offer.
well, except may drago, because whatever mumbles says, drago does!
Did anyone check to see how much a Mr. Albano gave to past campaigns? He's at so many political times and has hung so many signs, he's almost like a fifth candidate. What will people do after he retires from his city job and puts away his stapler, stakes and ladder? It would be nice to see signs retired with him. We just want to know about the issues.
I agree with the last two comments, only because money is given to candidates it doesn't mean they agree with all that candidate says. I also agree with the fact that ONLY Drago agrees with mumbles. Vote for anyone but him or you'll regret it.
Perhaps it is a little naive, but I don't understand how giving money to a specific candidate is not supporting that candidate's views. If you are giving money to a candidate because a friend asked, I am assuming you are doing so because you feel that your friend would not ask you to support someone whose views are contrary to your own. If that candidate wins you have effectively helped elect into a position of political power a person who has specific positions on issues and policies.
What else do you think you are doing when you contribute money to a political candidate?
I agree with the previous poster, who wrote: "What else do you think you are doing when you contribute money to a political candidate?"
Of course, one doesn't need to agree with someone on every issue to give them money, but I would think that there must be some common ground and, hence, a desire to see that candidate elected.
There is, however, another reason why someone gives money to a candidate: a promised favor -- usually a job. In that case the contributor doesn't much care about the way the issues affect people, but rather the only factor is pure self interest.
So, either way, the candidates' contributions tell me something about them.
so then i'm guessing that drago gave maumbles money for this rep seat then, huh?!?!?!
it's all starting to make sense now...it's almost like this race is fixed...who would have thought?!?!?!
I don't want to delete anyone's comments, but the discussion should be in the realm of issues, facts and thoughtful opinions. The name-calling gets old pretty fast.
I had a conversation yesterday with someone about what "politics" is all about. It was his view that it is all about favors. I help you and I expect to receive something in return. A job, money for a program I'm running, ease in obtaining permits. Such pecuniary based rationale for political participation is arguably part of the reason why people are dissatisfied with the apparent machine politics evident in this race.
A different vision of politics is that I support a person, either with money or time, because he/she holds policy views that are consistent with mine. Granted, that means that I must be better informed about issues than most people care to make the time to be. It also means that I must take the time to get to know the candidates and ask them questions about what they think about issues that are important to me. It also means that I must be willing to vote based on those issues and values and not simply because someone is a friend of mine from high school or is my next door neighbor.
Personally, I don't believe it is good enough to be "a good person" to get my money, time or vote. The legislature is filled with good people who hold views of government and positions on policy that diametrically opposed to mine.
When it comes to putting a person in a position to vote on ways to raise revenue for the state, on funding for education, environmental programs, or whether a casino will be built at Suffolk Downs, I believe the person to whom I give money or time should be willing to support positions or at least values that are consistent with mine. Otherwise, why should I participate in the political process at all?
Thank you for the above post, which I agree with. This state rep race is a good example. I got a funny look recently when someone asked me if I was voting for one of the candidates we've both known for 25 years and I said I wasn't sure who I was voting for and that I'd decide based on the candidates' stands.
Here in Eastie, personal relations run deep and many expect you to vote for the person you've known for years. I've knew three of the four candidates before the race began, but I have to vote for the person who is closest to my views on issues that may come before him or her in the legislature. All I have is one vote, and I am not going to cast it without a great deal of thought.
Angelo Riccimo here...and I have a question: I would like to know if Jeff is aware of the Casino infrastructure plan? My understanding is that there are serious talks of turning the Esquire Club and the old Three Eggs and a Yoke on the EB/Revere line into "gentlemen's" clubs to support the casino. Actually, I have no problem with this since those parts of Revere and East Boston are not family type areas. Plus, night clubs will bring excellent job opportunities to our area. I just want to know what Jeff's stance is on the matter. If the other candidates know anything about this I would love to hear from them too.
the number of Healey signs in Eastie was embarrassing, frankly...
and anyone who gave her money should be embarrassed.
let's move the state forward.
And Romney was/is a joke remember those awful commercials with him and his wife. So fake.
yes basile has a ton of support i just wish he wasn't conservative.
this city is diverse and it would be great to have that reflected in broad minded, progressive leadership.
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