NORWALK, Conn. – It is generally said that money wins elections, and, with the final figures in, it is easy to see why Mayor Harry Rilling coasted to re-election in November with nearly twice as many votes as challenger Kelly Straniti (8,360 to 4,891), or 63 percent to 37 percent.
Rilling raised a total of $95,595 from individual donors over the course of his campaign, while Straniti picked up $34,209, according to records filed in the Town Clerk’s office. More important, Rilling entered the final reporting period – Oct. 1 through election day – with $35,669.67 on hand and picked up another $2,725 from donors, $2,361 from other committees, and $694 from other sources.
Straniti hit the home stretch with just $9,295 in the bank and picked up $650 from donors, $4,250 from other committees and $60 from other sources.
There were no four-figure donations in the final report. Rilling received $500 from Arthur Greenblatt of Simsbury, the CEO of Vesta Corp. Straniti picked up $250 from Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton and Norwalk’s Ellen Wink.
Harry Rilling
Balance on hand at beginning of period: $35,669.67
• Contributions from individuals: $2,725 ($95,595 total)
• Receipts from other committees $2,361.20 ($13,511.20 total)
• Other monetary receipts $603.94 ($973.19 total)
Total of advertising purchases: $250 ($21,050 total)
Total monetary receipts $5,940.14 ($131,129.39)
Expenses paid by committee: $36,820.42 ($126,340 total)
Balance on hand at end of period: $4,789
Donations:
(From Norwalk unless otherwise noted)
Arthur Greenblatt, Simsbury, $500 CEO Vesta Corp.
Marina Bryant $200
Alan Singewald $150
John King, Farmington $125
Lisa Nuzzo $100
Craig Leroy, Bloomfield $100, lobbyist
Hubert Smith $100
Adele Gordon, Stamford $100
Thomas Mongellow, Newington $100
Carroll Hughes, Old Saybrook $100
Richard Conway, Kensington $100, lobbyist
Brendan Reed, Washington D.C. $50
David Rose, Westport $50 lobbyist
Salim Vahora $50
Michael Doyle, Mansfield $50
Cronin Hughes, Old Saybrook $50
Michael Johnson, West Hartford $50
Jay Malcynsky, Chester $50 lobbyist
Chris McMahon, Wilton $50
Laura Einstein, New Canaan $50
Christine Lametta $50
Diane Lauricella $50
Beatrix Winter $50
Mario DeCarlo, Stamford $50
Steve Frey $25
Tony Mobilia $25
Broderick Sawyer $25
Melanie Werheim $25
Chris Hulse, Cos Cob $25
Adam Silver $25
Kelly Straniti
Balance on hand at beginning of period: $9,295
• Contributions from individuals: $650 ($34,209 total)
• Receipts from other committees: $4,250
• Other monetary receipts: $60
Total of advertising purchases: $0
Total monetary receipts $650 period ($38,519 total)
Expenses paid by committee: $9,945 ($38,519 total)
Balance on hand at end of period: $0
Donations:
(From Norwalk unless otherwise noted)
Mark Boughton, Danbury $250
Ellen Wink $250
Walter Kipp, Rutherford $100
Bob Maslan $50
From the “no surprises here” file
Two prominent Norwalk area pols are the first to file official campaign papers with the Secretary of the State’s office.
Bob Duff (D-$25), the Senate majority leader, will run for a sixth term in the state Senate. His Friends of Bob Duff committee filed its papers Jan. 4. Duff represents Norwalk and Darien.
Also filing was State Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-143), who is running for her fourth term representing most of Wilton, a chunk of Norwalk and some of Westport. Her Gail Lavielle for State Representative committee opened Jan. 8.
No other Norwalk names showed up on the state website early Thursday.
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