AMHERST — Current and former politicians, including ex-governor Michael S. Dukakis, business owners and environmental advocates are among those who have contributed to the campaigns of the six candidates running for state representative in the 3rd Hampshire District.
The six Democrats, who are vying to replace retiring state Rep. Ellen Story, D-Amherst, raised a total of $63,511 this year through Aug. 21, according to their electronic filings with the state’s Office of Campaign and Political Finance. And they reported spending a total of $49,237.
The primary election is Thursday, with the winner expected to be the next state representative. No Republicans or independents are running for the seat in the Nov. 8 general election. The district is made up of Amherst, Pelham and Precinct 1 in Granby,
Solomon Goldstein-Rose, a recent Brown University graduate and former Amherst School Committee member, raised $24,990. The figure is nearly double the next highest total of $12,973 raised by Sarah la Cour, the executive director of the Amherst Business Improvement District.
Former Massachusetts Broadband Institute Executive Director Eric Nakajima reported raising $9,365.36; property title examiner Bonnie MacCracken, $7,197.37; Amherst School Committee member Vira Douangmany Cage, $5,836; and Belchertown High School social studies teacher Lawrence O’Brien, $3,150.
Goldstein-Rose said it was essential to raise the most money, since at age 22 he is the youngest person in the race.
“We intended to work twice as hard at engaging voters, raise twice as much money, and have the most substance and vision,” Goldstein-Rose said.
Goldstein-Rose has six donors who gave the maximum of $1,000. They include Roxanne Eigenbrod Zak, a Sierra Club advocate based in Concord; Jessica Langerman, an environmental activist; and Alan Langerman, an entrepreneur, both from Chevy Chase, Maryland; as well as Sue Morrello, a retired Amherst resident.
Two donors are from the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, with $500 from Margaret Bullit-Jonas, a priest, and $175 given by Steve Abdow, chief financial officer.
Among those giving $500 were Aaron DeMaio of DeMaio Orthodontics, MIT professor Nazli Choucri, and Brown University Professor Jim Morone.
Former U.S. Congressman John Olver, who endorsed Goldstein-Rose, gave his campaign $250, and Hampshire College President Jonathan Lash donated $100.
Goldstein-Rose reported spending $21,1290, with a balance of $3,870.
La Cour won support from members of the business community, with Cinda Jones, president of W.D. Cowls Inc., and her brother, Evan Jones, who runs Cowls Building Supply, each contributing $1,000. Barry Roberts, who is president of the BID’s board of directors and a local developer, also gave $1,000.
Another $100 apiece came from state Rep. John Scibak, D-South Hadley, and Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan. Both have endorsed la Cour.
“I’m very honored and grateful for the financial support I have received from a broad spectrum of the community,” la Cour said.
La Cour reported spending $12,536.94, with a balance of $436.06.
Former Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis, now a professor at Northeastern University, and his wife, Kitty, gave $200 to the Nakajima campaign.
Other high-profile donors giving to Nakajima include Dan O’Connell, CEO of Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, who contributed $1,000 and previously served as former governor Deval Patrick’s first secretary of Housing and Economic Development; Gregory Bialecki, a real estate developer for Redgate and another former secretary of Housing and Economic Development who gave $500; and Phil Holahan, deputy CEO of Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, who also gave $500.
Derek Lennon, chief financial officer of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, and Jennifer Lennon donated $200 to Nakakima’s campaign.
Nakajima said the donors represent a cross section of people with whom he has worked in state government, colleagues at the University of Massachusetts and friends. He said the contributions show appreciation for the work he has already done at the state level.
“I feel like we have the resources to win a competitive election,” Nakajima said.
Nakajima reported spending $2,099.09, with a balance of $7,266.27.
MacCracken’s donors are primarily Amherst residents, including several who are elected Town Meeting representatives. She said it was intentional to solicit donations from local people.
“Ninety-five percent of my money was raised in district, most from the people who I will be representing,” MacCracken said.
The largest donation is $500 from Firefighters Local 1764, with another $500 from Arjune Ramdas, assistant principal for the New York Department of Education. Though he is no longer in Amherst, Ramdas participated in the Amherst A Better Chance program and MacCracken served as a host family for him.
Another $250 was given to MacCracken by Michael Pill, an attorney from Shutesbury.
MacCracken reported spending $6,194.39, with a balance of $1,002.98.
Douangmany Cage’s largest contributions came from Amilcar and Demetria Shabazz, UMass professors who combined to give $650. Another $450 is from Northampton civil rights advocate Lisa Baskin, $300 from UMass doctoral student Katie Lazdowski and $250 from professors Michael Thewell and Barry Levy.
Douangmany Cage also received $100 from Jean Fay, president of the Amherst-Pelham Teachers Association; $100 from Carolyn Gardner, the former Amherst Regional High School teacher who alleged hostile acts while on the job and lack of response by the school administration; and $75 from Northampton Ward 7 City Councilor Alisa F. Klein.
“Our grassroots campaign is powered and funded by local activists, new Americans, retirees and students who care about climate change, the widening class divide and an eroding safety net,” Douangmany Cage said. “It is exhilarating these past few days and these next days ahead to keep door-knocking and reminding folks to get out the vote Thursday.”
Doungmany Cage, who began the reporting period with $1,100.13, reported spending $5,689.48, with a balance of $1,246.65
O’Brien lists a donation of $1,000 from James O’Brien, of Amherst, and $500 from Michael O’Brien, of Chappaqua, New York, both family members. Another $100 came from former School Committee member Rick Hood.
O’Brien said because he and his campaign manager are both public employees, they are prohibited from raising their own funds. State campaign finance law allows public employees to run for office, but to raise money they must organize a political committee and have the political committee handle all fundraising activities.
“While those regulations put me at a disadvantage, I was not too troubled by them because I think it’s possible to run a competitive campaign in our district without a lot of outside funding,” O’Brien said, adding that he has relied on campaigning by fellow educators, family and friends who respect his values and previous work as a former School Committee and labor activist.
O’Brien reported spending $1,597.61, with a balance of $1,552.39.
