Manny, Dough & Mack: Money rules in Trenton mayor race
Thursday, April 15, 2010
By L.A. Parker
Staff Writer
TRENTON — Ex Mercer County Freeholder Tony Mack has $26,000 to spend on his campaign and Councilman Manny Segura has $22,000 — figures that dwarf the accounts of the eight others running for mayor of Trenton.
Records of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission also show that Segura has raised the most money, $56,381, followed by Mack with $44,800.
The others aren’t even close. The records show Public Works Director Eric Jackson has only a bit over $1,000 to spend between now and the May 11 election and Freeholder Keith Hamilton has a bit less than $1,000.
“Sure money matters,” said City Council President Paul Pintella, a candidate for whom no ELEC records were available. “Money means billboards, signs, palm cards, radio spots, ads, and commercials. Message can’t beat money because you need money to make your message.”
Pintella said his ELEC report will show $30,000 raised and approximately $4,500 still in the bank.
Mack commented similarly, saying that money is a most valuable asset, particularly in a race with ten candidates.
“It matters, man. Not as much as votes. but in this business you have to have a couple of dollars to get your message out,” Mack said.
Frank Weeden said he expects to spend $40,000, much from a personal account. Cash is important, Weeden said, but added that the big field of candidates provides opportunity for cash-strapped candidates.
“Mayor Doug Palmer spent several hundred thousand dollars on his campaign. At least we’re not up against that. Money matters but the nature of this election is that the right candidate with enough (financial support) and a strong message could make money matter less,” Weeden said.
Candidate Shahid Watson called his a “Poor Peoples Campaign,’’ saying a few of the of the candidates are in the same boat.
“But being financially challenged is a way for us to win this election the old fashion way. We’re on the streets. We’re shaking hands,” Watson said. Here’s a listing of candidates, how much they’ve raised so far and how much they have left to spend on the final push:
Manny Segura – $56,381.58 raised, $22,603.89 left to spend.
Tony Mack – $44,818 raised, $26,031.03 left to spend.
John Harmon – $22,738.46 raised, $4,579.43 left to spend.
Eric Jackson – $17,064 raised, $1,061 left to spend.
Annette Lartigue – $11,893.35 raised, $3411.96 left to spend.
Keith Hamilton – $9,242 raised, $978.26 left to spend.
Alex Brown – $7,280 raised, $4,726.50 to spend.
Frank Weeden- No official report
Shahid Watson – No official report
Paul Pintella – No official report
