Handler at $209k.

New Canaan Republican Mike Handler continues to impress with his vigorous fundraising. He is about $40,000.00 short of the magic $250,000 required to qualify for public financing, Daily Ructions can report. Handler has raised $209,784 since entering the race in July.

An unexpected trend is emerging in the money-raising stakes. Candidates with no experience in statewide races are proving to be more skillful fundraisers than their veteran opponents.

Handler begins the year with $152,317.79 on hand. He also appears not yet to have become a target of the two Republican hopefuls whose nastiness is their mutual calling card, Tim Herbst and David Walker.