PA-HD35: Democrat dominates fundraising as Mon Valley special election nears
If money talks in elections, the special election for House District 35 is proving to be a one-sided conversation. According to finance reports, Democrat Austin Davis has outraised his Republican rival, Fawn Walker-Montgomery, by roughly 27 to 1.
Mr. Davis, a top aide to Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and the vice-chair of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, reports raising $82,804.30 since his campaign began taking shape in mid-September of last year. Ms. Walker-Montgomery, a former McKeesport city councilwoman who works for a human-services non-profit, raised $2,921.11 in 2017, with another $48.25 since the New Year.
The finance reports, which cover the first week of January, will provide the last full accounting of the campaigns’ financial activity before the Jan. 23 election.
“Austin has been wanting to do this for a long time,” said Don Friedman, a longtime Pittsburgh political consultant who chuckled ruefully when told the totals. “I’m not surprised by this.”
If money talks in elections, the special election for House District 35 is proving to be a one-sided conversation. According to finance reports, Democrat Austin Davis has outraised his Republican rival, Fawn Walker-Montgomery, by roughly 27 to 1.
Mr. Davis, a top aide to Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and the vice-chair of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, reports raising $82,804.30 since his campaign began taking shape in mid-September of last year. Ms. Walker-Montgomery, a former McKeesport city councilwoman who works for a human-services non-profit, raised $2,921.11 in 2017, with another $48.25 since the New Year.
Mr. Davis and Ms. Walker-Montgomery are competing to replace former state Rep. Marc Gergely, who resigned last fall after pleading guilty to charges related to an illegal gambling ring. The district includes a number of Mon Valley communities and neighboring areas including:Clairton, Duquesne, McKeesport and Munhall, West Mifflin and White Oak.
Mr. Davis’ warchest was swelled with at least $32,500 in contributions from unions, led by the politically active IBEW #5 electrical workers union. He also received contributions from a slew of area politicians, including his boss: Mr. Fitzgerald contributed $2,500. State Rep. Frank Dermody, the Oakmont representative who leads House Democrats, contributed $1,000.
Mr. Davis got an additional boost of just over $4,000 of “in-kind” contributions in the form of mailers put out by the state Democratic Party. Mr. Davis spent $28,728, nearly one-fifth of which went to his political consultants, the Carey Group.
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2018/01/16/austin-davis-fawn-walker-montgomery-special-election-house-district-35-fundraising-campaign/stories/201801160116
