3rd Quarter FEC Report Round Up

Sorry this took so long -- it's a lot to slog through.

Okay, here we go again. First off, you can browse these reports yourself at www.fec.gov. As always I apologize in advance for any errors or misinterpretations. I am neither a lawyer nor an accountant, just an interested observer and these thoughts should be taken as such.

This quarter covers July – Sept. of 2008.

Itemized donations are those that accumulate to over $200. Unitemized donations are from people like me, who make smaller donations. Itemized donations show the donor’s name occupation, employer, and the amount of the donation plus the total the person who had donated in this election cycle. Unitemized donations are just recorded as a number. When two numbers are listed the first is for this quarter, the second number is for the election cycle overall.

Keep your eye on individual donations vs. PAC’s

At this point in the campaign counting the number of maxed out donors is tricky. Individuals can donate up to $2300 per election. The primary and the general count as two elections so before the primary an individual can donate up to $4600, but after the primary only $2300. Are you still with me? Okay, so if someone donated $1000 on 4/21, before the primary, and $2300 on 4/23 they are maxed out because you can’t donate retroactively and they have donated the maximum amount for the general. But if someone donated $2300 on 4/21 and $1000 on 4/23 they can still donate another $1300. Does that make sense? If it does you are probably someone who files FEC reports or represents people who do.

Some candidates, such as Allyson Schwartz and Patrick Murphy, leave their reports in alphabetical order. That makes it easy to see who donated what when. Others, most of the other candidates listed here, scramble their reports so the names are not in alphabetical order and that makes it darn difficult to keep track of them. Transparency, folks, a little more transparency please. Yes, this thwarts your opponent but it thwarts your constituents too.


6th Congressional District

Jim Gerlach, Republican incumbent

Contributions:
Individual, itemized: 119,045.06
Individual, unitemized: 20,266.50
Individual, total: 139,311.56 / 1,019,293.61
Political Party committees: 0.00 / 1,662.82
PACs: 144,993.18 / 1,083,164.15
Total: 284,304.74 / 2,104,120.58
Transfers: 13,864.27 / 55,162.68
Refunds: 81.41 / 5,885.38
Other Receipts: 4,403.18 / 23,574.87
Total Receipts: 302,653.60 / 2,188,743.51

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 338,612.90 / 1,539,979.83
Refunds: 125.00 / 4,975.00
Other: 24,044.00 / 48,344.00
Total: 362,781.90 / 1,593,298.83

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 761,611.11
Contributions: 302,653.60 / 2,188,743.51
Disbursements: 362,781.90 / 1,593,298.83
Ending cash on hand: 701,482.81

Personal Observations: Donations arranged chronologically not alphabetically. 14 newly maxed out donors. The greatest majority of individual donors from in-state. There are a number of donations on 9/22 from people who work at various credit unions, often for the same amount – must have been an industry fundraiser. Interesting PACs – Seneca Nation of Indians, Zurich Holding Company (a Swiss based financial firm), a lot of other finance-related PACs, some medical and trucking firms, and oddly. Land o’Lakes, Hershey, and a baker’s PAC. In disbursements, there are 6 paid employees, and reimbursement for health care, He sent 25K to national party organizations and other candidates, 2 (Hackett, English) in PA. He paid 18K to a PA printer, over 13K to a DC fundraiser, the big winner is a NJ media consultant that received around $89K. A TX direct mail firm was paid $73K. A VA polling firm got $19K. He also had some in-state fundraising consultants, but they received a little over $10K total.

Bob Roggio, Democratic challenger

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 130,408.17
Individual, unitemized: 29,033.77
Individual, total: 159,441.94 / 450,229.35
PACs: 18,250.00 / 52,150.00
Total: 177,691.94 / 502,379.35
Loans: 0.00 / 80,500.00
Refunds: 762.20 / 792.52
Total Receipts: 178,454.14 / 583,671.87

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 221,540.95 / 366,812.03
Refunds: 265.00 / 265.00
Other: 186.25 / 186/25
Total: 221,992.20 / 367,263.28

Summary:
Beginning Cash on hand: 259,946.65
Contributions: 178,454.14 / 583,671.87
Disbursements: 221,992.20 / 367,263.28
Ending cash on hand: 216,408.59

Personal Observations: Scrambled. 8 newly maxed out donors. All but a few donors from in-state. Over $25K to Paychex. 12 people receiving a salary, most just a few checks. Payments for health insurance. A DC media consultant received 55K, a NY polling firm 28K. Roggio has loaned his campaign over $80K. Debts – 1300 for accounting, 1900 for insurance.


7th Congressional District

Joe Sestak, Incumbent Democrat (elected 2006)

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 495,453.87
Individual, unitemized: 63,351.29
Individual, total: 558, 805.16 / 2,581,873.47
Political Party committees: 1,581.46 / 3,964.55
PACs: 165,692.65 / 957,779.54
The Candidate: 0.00 / 4,600.00
Total: 726,079.27 / 3,548,217.56
Transfers: 0.00 / 35,154.46
Refunds: 0.00 / 3,452.40
Other Receipts: 17,862.68 / 52,922.24
Total Receipts: 743,941.95 / 3,639,746.66

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 129,892.89 / 730,797.68
Refunds: 0.00 / 8,259.76
Total: 129,892.89 / 739,057.44

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 2,591,116.10
Contributions: 743,941.95 / 3,639,746.66
Disbursements: 129,892.89 / 739,057.44
Ending cash on hand: 3,205,165.16


Personal observations: Sestak’s report is almost impossible to work with. It is scrambled, alphabetically and chronologically and he raises a boatload of money. So we are talking about wading through 4 screens of 500 items. There were 1,650 itemized receipts. There were 72 easily identifiable newly maxed out donors. I noted some from Genzyme and Enzybiotics, as well as a number of people in higher education. Four people named Veloric. Quite a few people were listed as not employed or retired. He has received a total of 10K from the Air Traffic Controllers PAC. Other PAC clusters are health care, banking, construction, and a total of 7K from the credit union pac. In large part though, it isn’t possible to glean much from the report as it is. I’ve tried downloading reports instead of viewing them but it doesn’t work well for me. On the disbursement side, nine people were paid, though most are clearly very part time or temporary. Close to $20K went to Paychex. Two firms in PA were paid a total of $7500 for grassroots promotional materials. There weren’t any pricey consultants. Note that his operating expenditures are lower than many other candidates.

Craig Williams, Republican

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 105,239.94
Individual, unitemized: 32,217.00
Individual, total: 137,456.94 / 499,422.83
Political Party committees: 6,250.00
PACs: 1,100.00 / 46,350.00
Total Receipts: 138,556.94 / 553,402.65

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 225,513.39 / 289,966.50
Total: 225,513.39 / 289,966.50

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 350,392.60
Contributions: 138,556.94 / 553,402.65
Disbursements: 225,513.39 / 289,966.50
Ending cash on hand: 263,436.15

Personal observations: 16 news maxed out donors. Donor clusters in health care administration or corporate health care and lawyers. There was a donation from Greg Bentley of Bentley Systems and from the Bentley PAC. On disbursements, $2380 to a PA web designer, 26K to a VA polling firm, 100K (is that a typo?) for a media buy from a DC firm, 18K to a PA firm for a press secretary. 22K to a TX firm for direct mail and postage. There is one salaried employee, a campaign manager. 19K to Keystone Strategies for FEC compliance, and an additional 13K in debts to the same firm. Over 27K in debt to various vendors, including Keystone Strategies. I have some concerns about Mr. Williams spending habits.


8th Congressional District

Patrick Murphy, Incumbent Democrat (elected 2006)

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 423,938.46
Individual, unitemized: 64,444.52
Individual, total: 488,382.98 / 2,449,970.70
Political Party committees: 300.00 / 7,395.13
PACs: 160,937.29 / 1,130,788.23
Total: 649,620.27 / 3,588,154.06
Transfers: 0.00 / 35,620.48
Other Receipts: 15,911.76 / 83,902.03
Total Receipts: 665,532.03 / 3,707,676.57

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 681,830.38 / 1,527,217.15
Refunds: 7,010.00 / 23,500.81
Other: 0.00 / 5,350.00
Total: 688,840.38 / 1,556,067.96

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 2,238,287.22
Contributions: 665,532.03 / 3,707,676.57
Disbursements: 688,840.38 / 1,556,067.96
Ending cash on hand: 2,214,978.87

Personal observations: Murphy’s reports are easy to read, very transparent. There are at least 52 newly maxed out donors. Some people made multiple contributions which makes it a little difficult to judge in vs out of state donations but I would say roughly two-thirds of his donors are in state – but that should be taken as a guess and nothing more. 37 Toll employees, with varying jobs within the company, executives, surveyors, etc., made donations in September; no itemized Toll donations in July and August. There were a handful of contributors from Urban Outfitters, Turner Investments, and Doylestown Hospital employees. In addition to the standard doctors, lawyers, Indian chiefs, there was a cluster of contributors from the arts, artists and those in the arts business; also some from the book trade. There are also clerks, a paralegal, a horse trainer, a general contractor, and an archeologist. The Pakistani American Leadership Center also made a donation. It is a very varied group of contributors. In the PAC list there are a lot of health care related groups. There are around 10 campaign committees or leadership pacs listed (Wolverine PAC and Badger PAC are leadership PACS, affiliated with a current or former lawmaker, and do not indicate a fondness for wild animals or sports teams with those names). The Air Traffic Controllers PAC made a donation, as did the pilots association. There is a total of $14K from the Realtors PAC. Murphy has received a total of $3500 from Treasury Dept. employees PAC, $9500 from Sallie Mae, and $3K from Fannie. Murphy was the only congressional representative to vote against the resolution congratulating the team that won the Super Bowl last year, because that team had beaten the Eagles (something like that – I don’t know sports). It seems to have paid off as the CEO of the Eagles donated $2300 to his campaign. On disbursements, there are payments for health insurance. A total of 19 people were on the payroll, though some were employed longer than others. A few other people received money for reimbursements of some kind. I thought some of the reimbursements were a little high, but perhaps circumstances called for it. A DC media firm received $283K, 13K to a DC fundraising firm, 12K to Verizon for phones, 20K to a CA firm for something concerning phones, 47K to a DC firm for printing, 89K for polling, 10K to a PA firm for printing, 25K to Paychex.

Tom Manion, Republican

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 160,699.59
Individual, unitemized: 37,970.50
Individual, total: 198,670.09 / 714,689.73
Political Party committees: 4,500.00 / 9,800.00
PACs: 46,980.00 / 189,990.00
Total: 250,150.09 / 914,479.73
Refunds: 15,870.23 / 15,884.39
Other Receipts: 846.54 / 1,320.63
Total Receipts: 266,866.86 / 931,684.75

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 400,011.78 / 558,469.33
Refunds: 1,300.00 / 2,700.00
Other: 600.00 / 600.00
Total: 401,911.78 / 561,769.33

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 504,960.34
Contributions: 266,866.86 / 931,684.75
Disbursements: 401,911.78 / 561,769.33
Ending cash on hand: 369,915.42

Personal observations: Arranged chronologically not alphabetically. 14 newly maxed out contributors. I see some signs that whoever is preparing the FEC reports is a little inexperienced. A few people made donations of $2500 when the maximum allowed at this point is $2300, so a partial refund had to be made. The person taking the checks should have caught that. Also, about half of the donations list occupation and employer as “information requested.” One of these people is Renee Amoore, who owns her own firm and is the deputy chairman of the state Republican party. This makes it impossible to tell where exactly the money is coming from. Manion’s brother, who died a few months ago, had been listed as his treasurer, and that may be a factor in the lapses in this report. However, usually the actual work is done by someone other than the person listed as treasurer. $10K total from the Freedom Project. On disbursements, four staff members are listed in donations with “offset – payroll;” I’m not sure what that means. Many of the PACs listed are candidate committees or local Republican organizations. There are quite a few consultants and vendors. $7k to a media firm. 9K to a VA polling firm. 5K to a PA marketing firm. 15K to a Missouri lawyer. 4,600 to a MN consultant. 9K to a MD bookkeeping consultant. The webdesigner(s) are in state. Brabender Cox was paid $160K. A DC fundraiser received $8,500. A variety of PA printers received around $24K; one received an additional $4K in consulting fees. Again, Paychex was paid quite a bit, close to $100K but a few refunds were paid. I’m not sure what this is all about. There is a note to see a memo item but those aren’t included so there’s no way to know what it says.

13th Congressional District

Allyson Schwartz, Incumbent District (elected 2004)

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 190,290.00
Individual, unitemized: 20,514.00
Individual, total: 210,804.00 / 1,782,145.59
Political Party committees: 0.00 / 998.06
PACs: 143,275.00 / 967,935.00
Total: 354,079.00 / 2,751,078.65
Refunds: 2,224.58 / 22,680.46
Other Receipts: 13,225.38 / 51,683.61
Total Receipts: 369,528.96 / 2,825,442.72

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 190,097.03 / 797,675.08
Refunds: 1,700.00 / 9,000.00
Other: 107,236.00 / 333,686.00
Total: 299,033.03 / 1,140,361.08

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 2,266,006.80
Contributions: 369,528.96 / 2,825,442.72
Disbursements: 299,033.03 / 1,140,361.08
Ending cash on hand: 2,336,502.73

Personal observations: There were at least 14 newly maxed out donors. Just a rough guess, between a fourth and a third of donors were from out of state. Along with the usual doctors, lawyers, and Indian chiefs, we find someone from the Pakistani-American Christian Association, the Christian Voice of Pakistan, and the Women’s Christian Alliance among the contributors. There was also a ski instructor, a publisher, editor and a number of people in higher education. Ruth Damsker, former Montgomery County commissioner is listed with “information requested” for occupation and none for employer. That seems like a real oversight. On PACs, the health care industry, but mostly health care workers as opposed to health care administration. The National Treasury Employees Union is listed, as are the airline pilots and the air traffic controllers PACs. Six people named Lindy donated money and, interestingly, the campaign pays rent to Lindy Property Management, which is listed as the employer for some of the contributors. In other disbursements, there are three paid staff people. One is paid what might be a full-time salary and the other roughly half time. The third came onto the scene in September. The campaign pays health insurance costs. A VA polling firm received $27K, a CT printer $7K, a MD firm for lawn signs $5,700. A CA firm received $40K for phones or phone calls, I’m not sure which. A DC fundraiser was paid $12,500. There are around $10K in credit card payments but that isn’t broken down in the report though it may be in a memo that is not available. Schwartz gave $100K to the DCCC. This is a tidy report and a pleasure to work with.

Marina Kats, Republican

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 44,905.76
Individual, unitemized: 3,612.00
Individual, total: 48,517.76 / 131,587.76
Political Party committees: 0.00 / 1,000.00
PACs: 6,550.00 / 15,350.00
Total: 55,067.76 / 147,937.76
Loans: 300,000.00 / 300,000.00
Other: 1,524.14 / 1,524.14
Total Receipts: 356,591.90 / 449,461.90

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 115,426.09 / 157,752.14
Total: 115,426.09 / 157,752.14

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 50,543.95
Contributions: 356,591.90 / 449,461.90
Disbursements: 115,426.09 / 157,752.14
Ending cash on hand: 291,709.76

Personal observations: Four newly maxed out contributors. One of the individual donors is the owner of the Eagles. Famed chef Georges Perrier is also a contributor. I counted seven out of state contributors. The candidate has loaned her campaign $300K. The candidate also received over $18K from the campaign for printing, catering, and phones, plus an additional $4,500 for catering and signs. One salaried worker. Website design cost $5k. A PA fundraising consultant received $3,800, another received $3K. 5K was spent on credit card bills but the online FEC reports don’t show memos so there is no way to tell what it was spent on. A MD bookkeeping consultant was paid $6,500. A DC fundraiser received $39K, and is listed as being owed an additional $5K loan. Over $4K was paid to printers located in Pennsylvania.