Projo Politics Blog

PROVIDENCE -- Rhode IsIand Gen. Treasurer Frank Caprio has hit the million-dollar-mark in fundraising.

In the three-month stretch between September 30 and December 31, Caprio's warchest increased from $866,519 to $1,017,333. After expenses, he had $1,001,061 left, which placed him far ahead of any of the other potential 2010 gubernatorial candidates.

By way of comparison, Providence Mayor David Cicilline had $684,570 left after raising $119,885 and spending $43,809.

Atty. Gen. Patrick C. Lynch had $391,647 left after raising $118,840 and spending $44,131.

Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts ended the quarter with $254,780, after raising $45,824, spending $22,061 and loaning her campaign account $100,000.

Having recently thrown his name into the mix on the Republican side, Rep. Joseph Trillo, R-Warwick, closed last year with $60,053, after raising $125 during the previous quarter and spending $901.90.

Republican Governor Carcieri, who is term-limited, ended last year with $47,987 in his account after raising $7,100 and spending $50,583 -- which included repaying $25,000 he loaned to his previous campaigns. His outstanding personal loans to his campaign now total: $1,367,550.

Carcieri is now running a radio ad campaign to urge support for his budget-cutting proposals, but that campaign is being paid for by the group TransformRI. Carcieri is its honorary chairman. TransformRI has taken the position that it does not have to disclose its spending or contributors because it is not a traditional political action committee, but rather a 501c4 nonprofit corporation. It was created by Anthony W. Bucci Jr., the finance director for Carcieri's last reelection campaign, and two of Carcieri's other financial backers, John Treat and Anthony Marouchoc.

 Tags  campaign finance Carcieri gubernatorial race Rhode Island TransformRI

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