MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – We’re getting a first look at Vermont candidates’ cash for campaign 2024. So far, only small amounts of money have been raised and spent.
It’s early, but this is our first look into fundraising data which helps us get a better sense of where candidates gather their support from.
The latest reporting period for statewide candidates runs from July of last year to March 15 of this year.
Republican Gov. Phil Scott– who has still not said whether he will seek a fifth term in office– raised about $3,675 during that time period and spent about $13,000. He has more than $330,000 in the bank from previous campaigns.
Scott is not doing much fundraising and so far he does not have a high-profile Democratic opponent. So far, his only declared Democratic challenger is former Middlebury Union Middle School administrator Esther Charlestin, who threw her hat into the ring in January.
So far, Charlestin has raised just $1,700 and spent more than $6,000.
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger has also expressed interest in running but he has not announced and did not file a campaign finance repor
Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman also has not declared whether he will seek reelection, but he has also been floated as a potential candidate for higher office.
He is gathering support mostly from small-dollar donors. Zuckerman has received more than 250 contributions of less than $100.
As far as fundraising, he has raised $28,920 and spent about $17,247.97.
But again, Zuckerman has not declared anything.
As for other candidates, Treasurer Mike Pieciak is seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party and his fundraising appears to be backing that up. Right now, he is expected to seek reelection to the treasurer’s office. He raised $106,953.07 from 261 people and he spent about $27,919.65.
This is just the first look at early campaign activity, we’re likely to see this ramp up when the legislative session ends.
The state primaries are on Aug. 13.
VT. LAWMAKERS MISS CAMPAIGN FILING DEADLINE
Meanwhile, dozens of Vermont lawmakers are out of compliance with the law. The deadline to file campaign finance data was on Friday, but as of Monday morning, a little over half of the state Senate has not filed and more than one-third or 62 state representatives had not filed either.
Individual lawmakers are barred from fundraising during the legislative session but they are still required to report how much cash they have on hand and if they are spending.
There are no penalties for candidates if they are out of compliance. But the Secretary of State’s Office says there are penalties for lobbyists if they don’t file.