Projo Politics Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- With $60,053 in his campaign account, Republican state Rep. Joseph Trillo has more money than the average rank-and-file lawmaker, but nowhere near as much as any one of his potential big-name Democratic opponents in the 2010 race for governor.

The Warwick lawmaker did not raise or spend any money during the quarter that ended on March 31, according to a filing with the state Board of Elections last week.

But Trillo, the only Republican so far to publicly signal his interest in succeeding term-limited GOP Governor Carcieri, said he has his first big fundraiser scheduled for May 11 at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, is on the verge of hiring a consultant, and has a friend, Joe Tatulli, designing a campaign Web site for him that should be up within the next few weeks.

Trillo filed his report for the period running from January 1 through March 31, 2009 Friday, one day after the deadline. Among the earlier highlights, reported here last week:

State treasurer Frank Caprio is still the top fundraiser among the high-level state Democrats hoping to succeed Carcieri, with $1.22 million in his campaign account when the quarter ended, after raising a total of $254,214 and spending $34,545.

His report was also dotted with contributions from people connected to the Boston and New York financial houses, including Silda A. Wall Spitzer, the wife of former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who listed her employer as Metropolitan Capital Advisors. She gave him $1,000.

Another stand-out name on his contributor's list was James DeRentis ($250), now the coordinator of independent candidate Lincoln Chafee's campaign for governor.

Amid questions about Caprio's ability to attract organized-labor support given his stance on public-employee pension reform, other contributors stood out, including Sen. John Tassoni, business agent for the largest state employees union, who gave him $500, and a passel of union PACs, including the Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers and the Rhode Island Laborers Political League. He also got $250 from the Twin River PAC, and $500 from one of the key lobbyists for the slot parlor, Marc Crisafulli.

Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch, another potential 2010 gubernatorial contender, had $481,917 after raising $136,378 and spending $46,107.

His contributors list was dotted with lawyers, lobbyists, state workers and legislators, past and present, including Sen. Frank Ciccone, the president and field representative for the Rhode Island Laborers' District Council ($250), former House Speaker Joseph DeAngelis ($250) and Twin River lobbyist and former Senate Minority Leader Robert Goldberg ($500). His $1,000 contributors included Alan G. Hassenfeld, the former chief executive officer of Pawtucket-based Hasbro; Anthony Rosciti, one of the principals in Rosciti Construction; and long-time Edwards & Angell bond lawyer James Skeffington.

Most striking in his report was the amount he spent and the way he spent it.
He spent $331.94 of his political dollars at Gasbarro's Wines in Seekonk on "Christmas gifts." He spent another $895 at Palmieri's Bakery, $763 at Pauly Penta's Deli, $225 at the Providence Oyster Bar, $471 at Camille's, $679 at the Capital Grille, $272 at Capriccio, $104 at Ten Steak & Sushi, $105 at T.G.I. Fridays, $140 at Flemings, $126 at Fellini Café and Pizza, $159 at Hemenway's, $115 at McCormick & Schmick's, $48 at McFadden's on food, drink and on occasion, "fundraising expenses."

Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts - who is also mulling a 2010 gubernatorial run - had $302,103 in her campaign account after raising $89,626 with help from a wide array of traditional and not-so-traditional Democratic backers, and spending $42,302.

Supporters ran the gamut from Crossroads homeless shelter president Anne Nolan ($200), to Lifespan CEO George Vecchione ($1,000); former state Human Services director Jane Hayward ($500), now president and CEO of the Rhode Island Health Center Association; three-time Democratic candidate for governor Myrth York ($250), and her husband David Green ($1,000), and a phalanx of lobbyists.

Some of her supporters, such as BankRI CEO Merrill Sherman ($1,000), and Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce President Laurie White ($250), gave equal amounts to Caprio, while others such as party treasurer Jack McConnell, who has been nominated for a federal court judgeship, gave $1,000 each to Lynch and Roberts.
Chafee has scheduled his first fundraiser for May 27.

 Tags  Carcieri Joseph Trillo Providence RI

Comments

Craig said:

We need publicly financed elections! Banks, lobbyists, PAC's and so on are buying our elections. Thats why we get tax cuts for the rich and crappy schools for our kids.

Link | May 4, 2009 2:53 PM
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Craig said:

We need publicly financed elections! Banks, lobbyists, PAC's and so on are buying our elections. Thats why we get tax cuts for the rich and crappy schools for our kids.

Link | May 4, 2009 2:57 PM
Report Abuse

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