Campaign funding compared

#MiddleburyCT #CampaignFunding #Mahr #Cipriano

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

We took a look at funding for two campaigns, Mahr for Middlebury and Vin with Middlebury, and put the data in the accompanying table. For those who always check numbers to see if they add up, the number of donors is the number of unique donors; some donors made two or three donations during the reporting period. The total number of donations is therefore higher than the total number of donors.

We focused on Mahr and Cipriano because they each raised much more money than McCormack for Selectman, the Middlebury Democratic Town Committee (MDTC) and the Middlebury Republican Town Committee (MRTC). On their October 10 filings for the fundraising period of July 1, 2025. to September 30, 2025, Michael McCormack reported total contributions of $2,950, the MDTC reported contributions totaling $5,425, and the MRTC reported contributions totaling $3,970.

The numbers for Cipriano and Mahr are for the combined filing periods of October 10 (July 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025) and October 26 (October 1 to October 26, 2025). Mahr raised $34,500 and Cipriano raised $35,174. Cipriano’s funds included a $3,000 donation from the MRTC; Mahr’s included a $500 PAC donation.

Mahr’s expenses totaled $24,926. Cipriano’s expenses totaled $20,628.

Donations came from both local and nonlocal residents. Mahr had 4 donations from people who don’t live in Middlebury; Cipriano had 55. Cipriano’s nonlocal donors included many who are or have been politically active. They include former Governor John Rowland, State Senator George Logan, State Representative William Pizzuto and former State Representative Tony D’Amelio. D’Amelio was one of 21 donors from Waterbury that included others there who are or have been politically active, among them Jeffery Santopietro, David Lepore, Joseph Sanpietro, Thomas Ariola, and Amanda Nardozzi, several of whom have faced legal challenges in the past.

When people donate, the provide their name, address, occupation and employer name(s). Then they answer these questions:

1. Is contributor a lobbyist, spouse or dependent child of a lobbyist?
2. If the contribution is in excess of $400 for a candidate for a chief executive officer of a municipality, does contributor or business he/she is associated with have a contract with said municipality valued at more than $5,000?
3. Is this contribution associated with an event reported in Section L1? (Section L1, Event Information, lists events like candidate meet and greets
4. Is contributor a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor? If yes, indicate which branch of government (executive or legislative) the contract is with.

The following information on donations is entered: amount contributed, date received, form of payment and the aggregate contribution from that individual.

We noted the following in Vin With Middlebury donations:

• The report was for July 1 through September 30, 2025, but it included 15 donations totaling $1,750 that were dated May 5, 2025.
• 55 of his 171 contributors, or 32% live in other towns.
• 21 are from Waterbury, where many have been active in politics for years.
• Town Attorney Bob Smith answered “No” to question 2 when he donated $500 on July 20. We understand he is paid a monthly retainer. Is a retainer considered a contract?
• Armando Paolino, who we believe is still a registered lobbyist answered “No” to the lobbyist question.
• New Vision LLC of Glastonbury is listed as an individual contributor
• GOP32 of Berlin is also listed as an individual contributor
• At least one donor’s first and last names are transposed.

Looking at Mahr for Middlebury donations, we noted.

• All the donations were made during the time period of the report
• 4 of her donors, or 4%, live in other towns.
• None are from Waterbury
• No politicians appear to have donated to Mahr. However, Michele Pizzuto, wife of State Representative William Pizzuto did so.