With seven candidates — which is down from nine when it began last winter — the 1st Franklin District primary race to elect a successor to veteran state Rep. Stephen Kulik has brought in campaign contributions of nearly $110,000.
Topping the list of candidates who have raised those funds is Natalie Blais of Sunderland, with $41,691 from 284 donors, including contributions from retired Congressman John W. Olver, for whom she was a legislative aide, as well as Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s fame, for whom she worked as an assistant.
Blais, whose contributions also included $500 that she provided herself, spent $24,475 during the same reporting period from Feb. 26 through Aug. 17, according to state Office of Campaign and Political Finance records.
Candidate Kate Albright-Hanna of Huntington, whose $21,990 in campaign contributions includes $500 in loans she made to herself, spent $19,127 during the reporting period.
While candidate Jonathan Edwards of Whately is shown by OCPF as raising $7,325 during in his pre-primary report through Aug. 17, an $11,309 beginning balance left from a failed lieutenant governor’s race brings his campaign total to $18,623, against which he had $4,303 in expenses.
Candidate Francia Wisnewski of Turners Falls had $13,749 in contributions during the reporting period, followed by Casey Pease of Worthington with $13,538, Christine Doktor of Cummington with $10,346, which includes a $1,000 loan to herself and Nathaniel Waring of Sunderland with $805 raised.