According to this article in today’s Pilot, most of the money for campaigns has flowed to the incumbents. Challengers are often forced to self-finance, meaning we only get people to run for office if they have their own money.
Wallach has loaned almost $39,000 to his campaign while Saunders has loaned hers $35,000. Both of these candidates are locked in tight races, where spending in the final days of the campaign could easily make a difference. No doubt Wallach will end up loaning his campaign more money before it ends next week; $2500 on hand doesn’t go very far.
Some may argue that candidates who have to self-finance demonstrate a lack of public support. I believe that is far from the truth. Challengers who don’t put their own money in stand little chance of raising any more money, which means less of a chance of getting their message out.
The public needs to know and understand the amount of funds it takes to run for office, the personal sacrifice each candidate makes – all because they want to serve us. Let’s help them by contributing a few bucks.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 