A month ahead of primary contests, the race to replace Rep. Elizabeth Esty looks to be competitive judging by the latest fundraising reports filed this week.
Republicans and Democrats have scrambled to gear up for the open seat in the 5th Congressional District since early April when Esty announced that she would not seek re-election after concerns were raised that she had mishandled a sexual harassment complaint filed against her former chief of staff.
Two Democrats and three Republicans are campaigning for the seat. They face an August 14 primary, with the Republican and Democratic winners facing off in the November midterm election.
On the Democratic side, former Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman and Jahana Hayes, a teacher with deep roots in Waterbury, each reported having more than $250,000 cash on hand as of June 30. Glassman’s campaign raised more than $356,000 in the previous three months while Hayes’ campaign raised just over $295,000.
Among notable contributors to the campaigns, Hayes received $5,000 from the American Federation of Teachers, $2,500 from the Congressional Black Caucus and $2,500 from a leadership PAC associated with U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California. Glassman received $5,000 from a leadership PAC associated with Rep. John Larson, and contributions totaling $5,400 each from business executives John Sennott of Simsbury, Steven Garrity of Simsbury, Angelo Messina of Unionville, and Gregory Ugalde of Burlington.
On the Republican side, fundraising was not as robust.
Republican Ruby Corby O’Neill, a retired psychology professor from Simsbury, reported just over $103,000 cash on hand. Her campaign raised just under $30,000 in the second quarter and took an $81,300 loan. Republican Richard Dupont of Watertown, who was most recently director of the advanced manufacturing technology center at Housatonic Community College, had more than $56,000 cash on hand. His campaign raised just under $35,000 in the second quarter and had a $45,000 loan. And, former Meriden Mayor Manny Santos had just over $5,000 cash on hand. His campaign raised nearly $22,000 to date and has $1,100 in loans.
O’Neill, who is married to Republican state Rep. Arthur O’Neill, has received contributions totaling $2,000 from state Rep. George Betts, R-Bristol, $1,000 from former gubernatorial candidate and Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley of Greenwich, and $750 from former state Rep. Brian Flaherty.
Dupont’s top contributor is Chevrolet dealer Frederick Blasius Jr. of Waterbury, who has given $2,700. Santos’s top contributor is Lorraine Fedyna, a Fairfield optometrist, who has given $1,000.
There are no Republican or Democratic primary challenges in Connecticut’s four other Congressional districts where Democratic incumbents hold a strong cash advantage over Republican challengers.
1st Congressional District
• Incumbent Democrat John B. Larson has raised over $1.2 million this election cycle and ended June with $554,926.53 cash on hand.
• Republican challenger Jennifer Nye and Green Party challenger Tom McCormick have not filed campaign reports with the Federal Election Commission. Reports are not required until campaigns raise or spend more than $5,000.
2nd Congressional District
• Incumbent Democrat Joe Courtney has raised $828,786.72 this cycle and ended June with $1,056,927.81 cash on hand.
• Republican challenger Dan Postemski reported raising and spending no funds. Libertarian challenger Daniel Reale did not file an FEC report.
3rd Congressional District
• Incumbent Democrat Rosa DeLauro raised $944,753.77 this cycle and ended June with $166,503.42 cash on hand.
• Republican challenger Angel Cadena, who lost to DeLauro 69-31 percent in 2016, has not filed an FEC report.
4th Congressional District
• Incumbent Democrat Jim Himes raised $1,454,365.97 this cycle and ended June with $2,680,322.46 cash on hand.
• Republican challenger Harry Arora has loaned his campaign $500,000. He’s also raised $220,842.37 and ended June with $656,983.42 cash on hand.
5th Congressional District
• Democrat Jahana Hayes raised $295,236.25 and has $254,142.67 cash on hand as of June 30.
• Democrat Mary Glassman raised $380,174.78 and has $270,229.59 cash on hand as of June 30.
• Republican Richard Dupont raised $34,715.24 and has $56,429.12 cash on hand as of June 30.
• Republican Manny Santos raised $21,747 and has $5,085.59 cash on hand as of June 30.
• Republican Ruby Corby O’Neill raised $29,973 and has $103,446.67 cash on hand as of June 30.
