The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Small donations give Hayes anedge
Firstterm congresswoman takes in more than $144,000 in third quarter
U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes will enter the year’s final quarter with nearly $900,000 in campaign cash, a strong haul as she pursues reelection in Connecticut’s most competitive district.
The Wolcott Democrat collected over $144,000 in campaign contributions in July, August and September, her campaign told Hearst Connecticut Media Tuesday.
Most of Hayes’ support came from small dollar donors, her campaign said. Of her contributors, 85 percent gave less than $100. She received contributions from voters in 40 of 41 towns in Connecticut’s 5th District, her campaign said.
“I am proud of the continued outpouring of grassroots support, engagement and enthusiasm, even in this offyear,” Hayes said. “When I entered politics for the first time a year and a half ago, I wanted to make sure everyone had a voice at the table. Nine months in, it is both invigorating and reinforcing to be reminded of the depth and breadth of ongoing support for our mission.”
Hayes’s third quarter fundraising trailed her contributions earlier this year, but still gives her a strong lead over her three Republican challengers. Hayes raised over $360,000 in April, May and June and more than $166,000 in the first three months of the year.
Ruben Rodriguez, a Waterbury Republican, raised $100 this quarter and will
Ruben Rodriguez, a Waterbury Republican, raised $100 this quarter and will advance with $442 in his campaign coffers, he reported to the Federal Election Commission.
advance with $442 in his campaign coffers, he reported to the Federal Election Commission. Rodriguez, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, is a meter technician for the City of New Britain’s Water Department.
Former assistant U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan has also filed paperwork to run against Hayes, but the New Fairfield Republican has not reported his fundraising yet. Sullivan and his campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Republican Robert Hyde of Simsbury has also declared his candidacy to the Federal Election Commission, but has not started fundraising in earnest yet, he said. Hyde works in public relations and has business ties to a medical management firm and Mass Central Railroad, he said.