Norwalk Mayoral Candidates Report Second-Quarter Fundraising Totals

NORWALK, Conn. — As Norwalk’s mayoral race heads into the fall, campaign finance filings provide a snapshot of contributions, including differences in donation size, donor location, and reported occupations.

The filings, as of June 30, the end of the second quarter, highlight the differences.

Overall Fundraising Totals

Barbara Smyth led the field with $80,490 raised, giving her more than twice the funding of Vinny Scicchitano ($35,710.10, including $930 in self-funding) and nearly five times that of Darlene Young ($17,058).

The size of the contributions further distinguishes the campaigns. Smyth’s largest share of contributions comes from the $101 to $500 range (40%), while Scicchitano has the largest share of the smallest bracket, with nearly 60% of donors giving $50 or less. Young’s campaign shows about 71% of contributions at $100 or less.

Scicchitano said the fact that nearly 60% of contributions are $50 or less “speaks volumes,” describing it as “real, broad enthusiasm from everyday people … not from those looking to buy influence or profit from the city.”

Young said her campaign’s numbers reflect a similar community focus. “My signs say ‘Mayor for the People’ and that’s more than just a slogan to me,” she said. “I am so proud that my fundraising reflects the support of so many Norwalkers who have chosen to donate what they could afford because they know that I am genuinely interested in how we can serve them better.”

Local vs. Out-of-Town Donors

While most contributions to all three campaigns came from Norwalk residents, the share of out-of-town donors varies.

Smyth’s donor list includes over 50 individuals from outside Norwalk, and seven from outside Connecticut. Her early fundraising benefited from a Hartford event hosted by Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. Smyth’s campaign stated that “well over half of her donors reside in Norwalk.”

Young has 20 out-of-town donors, including four from outside the state. She said most have long-standing ties to the city. “The majority of my donors from outside Norwalk are former colleagues that have worked with me throughout my 30-year career in Norwalk,” she said. “They either reside in nearby towns and commute to Norwalk, or they are from Norwalk and have retired to nearby towns. The rest are family and friends who all have deep roots in Norwalk despite living elsewhere. Non-Norwalk residents are not going to distract me from the needs of our current community.”

Scicchitano’s support is the most locally concentrated, with only 13 donors from outside Norwalk and none from outside Connecticut. “Our donor base is almost entirely local by design,” he said. “This is a Norwalk campaign, for Norwalk’s future, funded by Norwalk’s people. Any out-of-town [donors] are family and friend supporters, which I’m honored to receive.”

Donor Occupations and Reporting

Campaign disclosures also provide a glimpse at the occupations of contributors. Town Clerk Rick McQuaid noted that campaigns do not have to report occupations for donations under $100, though all fields should be completed where possible.

Young’s filings show most donors giving $100 or less, with occupations ranging across sectors and retirees. “The lack of lobbyists and developers among my donors probably reflects both that my network is deeply rooted in Norwalk and that at this time in this process, I’ve chosen to focus my fundraising and outreach here,” she said.

Scicchitano’s filings list occupations for about a quarter of contributions, with many left blank. Those reported include retirees, healthcare workers, and people in various professions. “My campaign is 100% grassroots,” Scicchitano said in an emailed statement. “Our donors are hardworking moms, dads, grandparents, local business owners, young professionals, and families. They are not developers, special interest groups, or Hartford’s political elite.”

Smyth’s disclosures include a broad base of donors, including retirees, unions, and PACs. Her campaign said about 4% of Smyth’s donors are lobbyists. She added that the campaign has “more donors than our opponents from the education sector, public service sector, and from small business owners.”

Next Filing Deadline

The next filings are due Oct. 10, following the Sept. 9 primary.