Thomas MacMillan File Photo
East Rock Alderman Roland Lemar made history on Wednesday. But he wasn’t celebrating.
Lemar, who’s running for the open 96th District General Assembly seat, became the first state representative candidate under the state’s young public campaign financing program to receive a supplemental grant of $6,500. He got the extra money because his opponent in the Aug. 10 Democratic primary, East Rock psychologist Debra Hauser, has spent more money battling him for the seat, which represents parts of Hamden and East Rock, Wooster Square, and Fair Haven. The post is to be vacated by State Rep. Cam Staples at the end of this year.
Lemar (pictured) is participating in the state’s Citizens Election Program (CEP), which issues grants to candidates who raise a minimum amount of cash from a required number of donations, then limit their spending and fund-raising. Hauser is not participating in the program.
Lemar had previously qualified for and received $26,000 for raising $5,000 in over 150 contributions. The public financing program includes provisions for supplemental grants to candidates whose non-CEP opponents spend a certain amount more than they do (a feature that may not survive future challenges to similar laws in other states).
Lemar applied for a supplemental grant because Hauser had crossed the mandated spending threshold. Beth Rotman, executive director of the Citizens’ Election Program, said since Hauser, who is not participating in CEP, spent over 100 percent of the limit, or just over $33,000, Lemar qualified for the additional funds.
Allan Appel File Photo
Instead of public dollars, Hauser’s campaign is fueled by donations and $25,000 of her own money.
Wednesday’s grant was a first in the short history of the CEP, which began in 2008. But on Wednesday Lemar wasn’t celebrating the money coming to his campaign.
“It isn’t a good day that we got a supplemental grant,” he said. The fact that his opponent is spending so much money flies in the face of goal of the CEP, which was designed to limit spending and keep races competitive, Lemar said.
Lemar said Hauser’s unprecedented level of spending highlights the differences between the candidate’s campaigns. “We’re not hiring consultants to write policy positions,” Lemar said.
Hauser’s campaign filings include multiple payments to Hartford-based campaign consultants.
Lemar said his campaign is engaging local neighbors, rather than spending money on Hartford consultants.
Hauser is required to file spending disclosures each week until the Aug. 10 primary. Her spending could trigger additional supplemental grants to the Lemar campaign. After the last filing before Aug. 10, Hauser could spend money freely without fear of triggering grants to Lemar.
Given that Hauser has “continued to pour money into this campaign, of course we’re concerned about last-minute spending,” Lemar said. “But we have a good solid campaign.”
“If she spends another $1,200, we’ll be eligible for another supplemental grant,” said Lemar campaign manager, Yale Alderman Mike Jones. “We’re going to keep watching these [weekly spending] reports.”
Jones said he doesn’t have any specific spending plans for the new $6,500. “It kind of took me by surprise,” he said.
Hauser said her spending means nothing more than that she had reached a certain legally mandated threshold. “‘So much money’ is a subjective thing,” she said.
If Lemar doesn’t think his $6,500 is a good thing, “he shouldn’t have applied for it,” Hauser said.
Hauser again sought to defend her campaign spending. “I’m not a sitting elected official. I had a lot to learn.” She said she has had to hire people to help her. “I’m spending what I need to get my message out. I’m not spending wantonly.”
Hauser also defended pouring money into her campaign during and shortly after a time when she was fending off foreclosure and her husband was dealing with a bankruptcy. “My husband was experiencing financial difficulty as a result of a failed business,” she said. “I didn’t file bankruptcy.”
She and her husband have dealt with the bankruptcy and foreclosure threat, Hauser said. “We resolved the matters in front of us.”
Hauser said she has two New Haven fundraisers coming up. “Hopefully I won’t be spending more of my own money.”
Christine Stuart contributed reporting.
Ms. Hauser is embarrassing herself. "I had a lot to learn...I'm spending what I need to get my message out." Why is she running if she doesn't know what she's doing? What message is she getting out? ... Is she going to hire more help when she gets to Hartford? Come on. Roland knows what he's doing and he's getting out his message the right way. This race has become a no brain-er.