Seven of the candidates seeking voter support in the Feb. 22 special election have qualified for public campaign funds as of Monday afternoon and several more are expected to be approved at a meeting Wednesday morning.
In the three Senate races candidates are expected to raise $11,250 in small $5 to $100 contributions and at least 225 of the donors have to reside in the district the candidates are running. If they’re able to meet that threshold, the three Senate candidates will receive $66,300 in public funds to run their campaign.
In the six House races candidates are expected to raise $3,750 in small donations from at least 113 residents in their district. If they meet that threshold they qualify to receive $19,500 in public funds.
The candidates in all nine of the races have until Feb. 4 at 5 p.m. to submit their applications. And more than a handful have already qualified.
Republican Linda Monaco and Democrat James Albis running for the 99th House seat in East Haven have qualified, along with Madison Republican Selectwoman Noreen Kokoruda and her Democratic opponent Joan Walker. Also Janet Peckingpaugh, the former news anchor who failed to defeat U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney this year in the Second Congressional District, qualified for former Rep. James Spallone’s seat in the 36th House district which covers, Essex, Chester, Haddam, and Deep River.
New Britain Mayor Timothy Stewart, the Republican running for former Sen. Donald DeFronzo’s seat, which includes New Britain, Berlin, and part of Farmington, qualified for public funding. So did Bob Kolenberg a Stamford Board of Finance member who is vying for former Sen. Andrew McDonald’s seat.
Applications pending approval Wednesday include Rep. Carlo Leone’s, Thomas Bruenn’s, and Len Suzio’s.