METHUEN — Mayor William Manzi and police Chief Katherine Lavigne opened their wallets to aid state Rep. Linda Dean Campbell in her campaign against challenger Chris DiBella in next Tuesday's Democratic primary.
Former state Rep. Arthur Broadhurst is backing DiBella, along with Michael Hennessy, who competed against DiBella and Campbell in the 2006 primary for the 15th Essex District seat.
Campaign finance reports released this week show Campbell raised $16,623 between Jan. 1 and Aug. 29 to DiBella's $9,425.
"I am proud of all the people that have contributed to my campaign," Campbell said.
DiBella noted that he only announced his candidacy in April, and his first donation was on April 30. Campbell's first donation came on New Year's Day, the reports show.
DiBella outspent Campbell by $1,733, spending $24,871 compared with her $23,138.
State Sen. Steven Baddour, D-Methuen, often donates to candidates, but his name is absent from the records this time.
"Both are friends of mine and I decided not to get involved in the Democratic primary race," he said.
Campbell said "there seems to be a conspicuous lack of Methuen contributors" to DiBella's campaign.
A Long Island native, several relatives in New York sent him money, as well as residents in Wayland, Arlington, Watertown and Worcester.
"I have family all throughout Mass., I have worked throughout Mass.," DiBella said.
DiBella loaned his campaign $20,000. The state representative job pays $58,236 a year.
DiBella spent $1,800 to pay Beacon Hill Roll Call to research Campbell's votes, and he paid $3,500 to political consultant Mike McGovern of Lowell and $7,500 for polling.
DiBella said the polling was to learn "the pulse of the city" and the consultant helps with motivation.
"He keeps you focused on what should be important, making sure that you're getting your message out to the people and you're doing the door to door and everything that's important," DiBella said.
The challenger also spent $245 for an ice-cream social and $125 for a disc jockey for a party at the Senior Center.
Campbell spent $2,775 for polling and $1,575 for catering at a fundraiser. She also gave money to community groups, like $100 to Methuen High's Ranger Band Association and $100 to the Methuen High after-prom party.
Both spent thousands on mailings and media advertisements. DiBella spent $2,119 more during this fundraising period than he did during the same campaign finance reporting period in 2006. Campbell spent an extra $1,094 this time around, records show.
By contrast, Mayor William Manzi spent more than $100,000 to win re-election last year.
Tuesday's winner will face city councilor and independent candidate Joseph Leone in the Nov. 4 general election.
DiBella's dollars
Amount raised between Jan. 1 and Aug. 29: $9,425
Amount spent: $24,871
Notable donors: $100 from former state Rep. Arthur Broadhurst; $100 from former state Rep. candidate Michael Hennessy; $200 from Asbestos Workers Local #6 in Boston; $500 from Boston Carmen's Union Local 589; $250 from Bridge & Structural Iron Workers Union Local 7 in Boston; $500 from Laborer's Union Local 175 in Methuen; $200 from Roofers Local 33 in Dorchester; and $500 from Eastern Massachusetts Brick Layers People's Committee
Campbell's cash
Amount raised between Jan. 1 and Aug. 29: $16,623
Amount spent: $23,138
Notable donors: $200 from Mayor William Manzi; $200 from Friends of Bill Manzi; $250 from police Chief Katherine Lavigne; $100 from the Committee to Elect state representative) Barry Finegold, D-Andover; $100 from the Brian S. Dempsey committee (Dempsey is a Democratic state representative from Haverhill); $500 from American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts Political Action Committee (PAC); $250 from Beer Distributors' PAC; $125 from Raytheon Massachusetts PAC; $500 from Boston Police Patrolmen's Association PAC; $500 from Carpenters Local Union 111 PAC in Methuen; and $300 from the Retired Public Employees PAC
Where to vote:
Here is where voters can cast ballots on Tuesday: Precincts 1, 2, 6 and 10 at Timony School; Precincts 4 and 5 at Park Garden Apartments; Precincts 3, 7, 9 and 12 at Tenney School; and Precincts 8 and 11 at Marsh School.
Note: Voters in Precinct 7 do not vote in the Campbell-DiBella race. They are represented by state Rep. Barbara L'Italien, D-Andover, who is not facing a challenger.
