Whoops! Justin Bernier Needs to Recount.
Republican congressional hopeful Justin Bernier made a bid to make some news today as Farmington rival Mike Clark launched his campaign for the hotly contested 5th district nomination. Bernier, who ran a strong second in last year’s primary for the nomination, announced he raised $83,000 in the first fundraising quarter of his campaign. Bernier contends that he’s broken the Connecticut record set by Joe Courtney for the largest amount raised by a non-incumbent at the start of a congressional campaign. (Who knew such a record haunted the digitized records of the FEC?) Courtney went on to defeat Bernier patron, incumbent Congressman Rob Simmons in 2006.
Bernier’s claim would be impressive–if it were true. His nemesis, Litchfield real estate developer Mark Greenberg, another 2010 contender returning to the battle, in the first quarter of his first campaign, raised–drum roll, Mr. Leader–$153,162.00. Greenberg kicked in another $150,000 at the start, the first of several large infusions of cash to his campaign.
UPDATE: Justin Bernier rang to say that his measure is not the first finance quarter of a campaign but the first quarter of a congressional campaign cycle as measured by the Federal Election Commission. Therefore, the former McMahon campaign staffer believes, he is the fundraising leader under that definition.
It’s been a busy night among Republicans in the 5th. Farmington Republican Mike Clark appeared before an enthusiastic hometown crowd to start his campaign in this, the second quarter.
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The Bernier Campaign is talking about Q1 in the election cycle — not the first quarter that a candidate decides to enter the race. Q1 runs from January through March of the first election year. Greenberg did not raise any money in Q1 of 2009. Our press release is correct.
Kevin, it looks like Bernier was referring to Q1 of an election cycle. His release isn’t clear, I agree with that, but ff you checked the FEC site for Courtney’s records instead of going for the “gotcha,” you would notice the $60k figure is from the Q1 report in the year before the election, the same one that just ended for the 2012 eletion cycle.
Justin just loooovvvveeeessss creating these foney measurements that let him claim to be some kind of amazing fundraiser. He did it all through the 2010 campaign, go back and look, every quartre he changed the measurement. Bottom line was at the end of the campaign both the other candidates raised and spent more money then him. It’s amazing that anyone byes his nonsense.
It’s time to send a real “kick-ass” conservative to represent the 5th District. As of April 6, 2011, there is only one in the race. His name is Mark Greenberg!
With Greenburg gaining support from wing nuts like Palin Smith, it just makes me NOT want to support him.
Palin, The ONLY “kick ass” candidate in this race is not officially in yet. Once she enters, the game changes. I am so happy we will have a true conservative who understands business, budgets, healthcare, etc. in the race. Greenberg does not connect well enough with average people. That’s why he came in third in a field of three in the primary, despite his smear campaign.
“I am so happy we will have a true conservative who understands business, budgets, healthcare, etc. in the race.”
Do true conservatives support Obamacare if they think it will benefit healthcare facilities they own? I can’t think of many true conservatives who have made favorable statements about Obamacare and support abortion.
Happy Conservative- Tiff, Tiff is that you?
CT conservative, are you on Greenberg’s paid staff as well as some of the RTC chairs? Get over your lies about Lisa! She NEVER said she supported Obamacare! You need to deal in facts, not fiction!
Perhaps you would care to publicly state which RTC chairs you are accusing of corruption?
Dr. Claw, no, I am not Tiff! I’m not on anyone’s payroll!
Ct Conservative – Barkhamsteads chair was a paid greenburg staffer
Barkhamstead is not in CT-5 so there is nothing to be gained in terms of support. There was no “buying” of any committee members supprt in any town in CT-5.
Neither Julianna nor Bill has any affiliation with Greenberg 2012.
Well surprise!, even by Justins crazy definition for the fundraising lead he’s losing: Both declared dems raised more money than him, check it out Kevin.
Looks like Justin cooked the books again. Raised $83,000, spent $7,000 and owes $37,000 to HIMSELF as campaign debt. He has $40,000 on hand and the dems have $250,000 + on hand. Yea, he has a chance!
And Greenberg – does he have to follow the FEC laws? I checked this AM and he has not filed. Does that mean his fundraising is so anemic that he could not even raise or spend $5000 during the whole quarter???? Or does it just mean laws don’t matter to him? Just what we need to ensure a democratic victory in 2012! What is up with him????
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