This story was originally posted Thursday evening. This is a rewrite to add David Watts qualifying and his comments.
NORWALK, Conn. – State Rep. Bruce Morris (D-140) and Democratic Party-endorsed state rep. candidate David Watts (137th District) have officially been notified they have qualified for a $27,850 grant from the Citizens’ Elections Program (CEP) for the 2014 campaign.
Watts is running against decade-long incumbent state Rep. Chris Perone. Getting the CEP grant took three trips to Hartford in a “pretty intense” process, Watts said.
In order to qualify for the program, a candidate must raise $5,000 and have at least 150 contributors from within Norwalk. Participation in CEP promotes clean and fair elections and seeks to neutralize the disproportionate influence of money in politics at the local level, according to the Secretary of State’s website. It increases the value of everyday citizens and makes the democratic process more transparent and inclusionary.
“It’s a pretty intense process and it should be because they want to make sure that everything checks out,” Watts said.
According to the Secretary of State’s office, grant amounts vary.
“Typically, primary grant amounts are $11,140 for state representative candidates and $38,990 for state senate candidates, but amounts are higher if the candidates run in districts where one major party has a large advantage in the number of electors registered with that party,” the site states. “In most races, general election grant amounts are $27,850 for state representative candidates and $94,690 for state senate candidates.”
Both the 140th and 137th districts are considered to be predominantly Democratic districts.
Watts said he raised $5,739 from 235 donations, of which 168 were from Norwalk residents. The amount over $5,000 was taken back by the state. He expected to get slightly less than $27,850 because the state is going to deduct the seed money he initially put into the campaign bank account.
“It’s been a grass-roots effort and I didn’t take any money from any lobbyists or any special interests, which I am most proud of,” Watts said. “I think that’s why this program is so important. Because it puts the power in the hands of the people versus the special interests and I am proud I didn’t collect any money from lobbyists.”
Perone said he had not filed for the grant as of Wednesday afternoon, but expressed confidence in an email that he would soon qualify for funding. “I feel we will make the cut,” he wrote. “We’re putting the package together and will be getting it up to Hartford soon.”
There are just seven days left to qualify for money for primary candidates (deadline is 5 p.m. July 18). General election candidates have until mid-October.
Watts called himself a “dark horse candidate” and said, “I am still probably going to be outspent by special interest groups, but it gives me an opportunity to be competitive.”
“I don’t mind being called controversial or bombastic if it means change in this city because it’s hard to change things. It’s very difficult. Some people just want me to go away so they are going to try to defeat me here because this could be the end for me,” Watts said.
Watts said he has been endorsed by Local 2405 of Council 4 AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees).
“The other unions will all endorse Chris because they’re going endorsing all incumbents,” Watts said. “They haven’t endorsed any challengers around the state at all. So I don’t anticipate getting any because they’re endorsing incumbents around the state. So it’s not anything personal, even with Council 4, who I have worked it… they are not going to endorse me either.”
Morris, a four-term incumbent, is the first candidate in the 140th District to fulfill the criteria to receive the grant. He is facing a primary challenge from fellow Democrat and former Common Councilman Warren Peña, who petitioned his way onto the ballot after Morris won the nomination in a district nominating caucus last May. There currently is no Republican candidate.
“I’d like to thank everyone that has contributed to the effort,” Morris said in a press release. “It’s fantastic to see that after eight years, the community supports me with the same vigor as they did on my first run.”
Morris fulfilled the grant requirements within three weeks, according to the release.
“Qualifying for this grant has been a community effort,” said Morris. “Over the course of this campaign, I, along with my supporters, will continue to be out knocking on doors, getting out our message of economic development, support for education and crime prevention.
Peña referred inquiries to his treasurer, who did not respond to requests for information. Peña was not on the list of recipients released by the Secretary of State Friday.
Emily Wilson and Fred Wilms, who will face off in the Republican primary for state representative in the 142nd District, were among the earliest qualifiers.
The next deadline is 5 p.m. July 16, with the final deadline for primary candidates at 5 p.m. July 18. The primary election is Aug. 12.
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Original story posted at 1:37 a.m., updated at 10:35 a.m. Friday:
NORWALK, Conn. – State Rep. Bruce Morris (D-140) and Democratic Party-endorsed state rep. candidate David Watts (137th District) have officially been notified they have qualified for a grant from the Citizens’ Elections Program (CEP) for the 2014 campaign.
Morris, a four-term incumbent, is the first candidate in the 140th District to fulfill the criteria to receive the grant. He is facing a primary challenge from fellow Democrat and former Common Councilman Warren Peña, who petitioned his way onto the ballot after Morris won the nomination in a district nominating caucus last May. There currently is no Republican candidate.
“I’d like to thank everyone that has contributed to the effort,” Morris said in a press release. “It’s fantastic to see that after eight years, the community supports me with the same vigor as they did on my first run.”
Morris fulfilled the grant requirements within three weeks, according to the release.
According to the Secretary of State’s office, grant amounts vary.
“Typically, primary grant amounts are $11,140 for state representative candidates and $38,990 for state senate candidates, but amounts are higher if the candidates run in districts where one major party has a large advantage in the number of electors registered with that party. In most races, general
election grant amounts are $27,850 for state representative candidates and $94,690 for state senate candidates.”
Both the 140th and 137th districts are considered to be predominantly Democratic districts.
In order to qualify for the program, a candidate must raise $5,000 and have at least 150 contributors from within Norwalk. Participation in CEP promotes clean and fair elections and seeks to neutralize the disproportionate influence of money in politics at the local level. It increases the value of everyday citizens and makes the democratic process more transparent and inclusionary.
“Qualifying for this grant has been a community effort,” said Morris. “Over the course of this campaign, I, along with my supporters, will continue to be out knocking on doors, getting out our message of economic development, support for education and crime prevention.
Peña referred inquiries to his treasurer, who did not respond to requests for information.
Incumbent Chris Perone (D-137) had not filed for the grant as of Wednesday afternoon, but expressed confidence in an email that he would soon qualify for funding. “I feel we will make the cut,” he wrote. “We’re putting the package together and will be getting it up to Hartford soon.”
Emily Wilson and Fred Wilms, who will face off in the Republican primary for state representative in the 142nd District, were among the earliest qualifiers.
The next deadline is 5 p.m. July 16, with the final deadline for primary candidates at 5 p.m. July 18. The primary election is Aug. 12.
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