Lauretti Reports: We Are Not Close to a Cashless Society.

Mark Lauretti, the Shelton mayor making his second bid for governor, is close to collecting the $250,000 in small contributions. That’s one of the requirements to qualify for Connecticut’s generous public financing program. The other is to win 15% of the delegate votes on one ballot of the nominating convention or collect thousands of signatures from party members on petitions.

Lauretti’s campaign finance reports are a festival of interesting entries for reportologists. There is a lot of cash making its way into Public Official Number One’s coffers. Cash is allowed but it is unusual to see so much of it in $100 contributions in one campaign.  Also, Republican Lauretti’s spending is from another age. A big chunk of Lauretti’s campaign money is going to food for fundraising events. Most 21st century Connecticut campaigns try to keep those costs low so they have dough left for increasing their internet/social media presence. It’s a long way to the May convention and $250,000 (or more if you can raise it) does not go far.

As of September 30th, Lauretti had raised $229,670.11 and had $156,918.36.