I was about to do a write up on the final campaign figures from the 5th Congressional district race between Cappiello and Murphy but Genghis beat me to the punch.5th DistrictRep. Chris Murphy ends his successful re-election campaign having raised $158,862.04 between 10/16 and 11/24. He raised $3,012,056.85 net (excluding refunds) for the whole cycle. Of that, he spent a total of $2,812,859.30 (excluding offsets) for the whole cycle, and had $142,613.19 cash on hand on 12/4 with zero debts.
His opponent, David Cappiello, raised $32,687.00 between 10/16 and 11/24. He raised $1,028,416.55 total for the whole cycle (excluding refunds), plus an additional $305,440.68 from another committee. Of that, he spent a total of $1,299,429.48 (excluding offsets) for the whole cycle, and had $42,059.24 on hand as of 12/4 with zero debts.
Yes, you read that correct...when it really counted (and the national GOP had other Congressional races to deal with), Cappiello was only able to raise $32,687.00...which probably went to purchasing more annoying lawn signs as opposed to any type of GOTV effort.
Elections come down to one thing...money. You have to have $$$$ to play in this game...especially if you have next to no name ID in the 5th CD which was the case with Cappiello. The 5CD stretches WAY beyond Danbury, and when you LOSE your own hometown to your opponent by a WIDE MARGIN as the case with Cappiello, the writing was on the wall.
I'm 99.999999999 percent positive that Cappiello's internal numbers echoed the number I heard throughout the election as well as election results and with next to no money in the bank, the race was basically all but over before the Danbury debate.
There were numerous other problems with Cappiello's campaign (i.e., recycled TV ads, going totally negative, sucking up to President Bush, gave no real alternative, pandered to groups, changed his attacks based on the event of the day, didn't campaign nearly enough outside of Danbury, etc) but a lack of money should top the list. If the rumors are true about Waterbury's Sam Caligiuri taking throwing his hat into the race in 2010, he be wise to learn from Cappiello's numerous mistakes.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
