State Rep Candidate Spending Varied Dramatically

– Allison Goldsberry

The three candidates that sought Jim Marzilli’s former state representative seat each raised and spent dramatically different amounts of cash throughout their campaigns.

Democrat Sean Garballey, a 23-year-old student, raised and spent far more than Republican John Worden and independent candidate Robert Valeri combined. According to the latest state campaign finance filing as of February 15, Garballey raised $26,700 and spent $21,451. Worden raised $9,389, spending $2,568, while Valeri spent just $47 of the $1,000 he donated to his campaign.

Garballey’s cash came from individuals, mostly Arlington residents, as well as several unions, including $100 from the Medford Police Patrolmen’s Association, which endorsed Garballey. He raised the bulk of his cash prior to the February 5 primary, more than $16,000, and then raised another $10,000 in less than one month. He currently has $5,381 in his campaign account.

Worden, who did not face a primary opponent on February 5, raised just $2,640, including $1,000 of his own money, in December and January and didn’t start spending money until late January. He raised $6,749 prior to February 15, and has $6,820 left in his campaign coffers. Worden received $600 for his campaign from fellow Republicans and received the rest of his campaign cash from individual contributions.

Valeri, a small business owner in Arlington, raised and spent nothing prior to the February 5 primary. Valeri loaned his campaign $1,000 and he has recorded spending just under $50 as of February 25.

The candidates spent their cash on things such as signs, banners, food for events, and mailings.

More…

See detailed campaign finance reports- Garballey, Valeri, Worden