The Vermont Political Observer.
a.k.a. theVPO: Analysis and observation of Vermont politics from a liberal viewpoint
Big donors, big money in targeted House districts
Two years ago, the Republican State Leadership Committee funneled $370,000 into Vermont, backing candidates in close races for the Vermont House. The VTGOP won several of those seats and took away the Democrats' supermajority status.
So far this year, the RSLC has spent a lot less. But a handful of closer-to-home moneybags have taken matters into their own hands. They've donated more than $100,000 to individual Republican House candidates and House Minority Leader Don Turner's political action committee.
In the small-dollar world of State House campaigns, that's a huge amount of money.
First, a hat tip to Green Mountain Daily's Sue Prent, who reported on the Franklin County iteration of this phenomenon a couple weeks ago. Turns out, it's only part of a bigger pattern. But because the money is broadly dispersed, the pattern has attracted little attention.
Two of the donors are familiar names to anyone who follows Vermont politics. The other two might be new to you.
— Lenore Broughton, the reclusive millionaire whose first major foray into state politics was the disastrous Vermonters First PAC, which spent more than a million dollars of her fortune and accomplished basically nothing.
— Fossil fuel magnate Rodolphe "Skip" Vallee, accused gasoline price-fixer, failed candidate, and ace fundraiser for George W. Bush. Rewarded for same with appointment as Ambassador to Slovakia. Despises Bernie Sanders.
— Tom and Carol Breuer, longtime conservative/religious right moneybags. Residents of Massachusetts, but in 2013 they bought a vacation home in… you guessed it… Stowe. Been donating heavily to Vermont Republican causes since then. A bit of their background, courtesy Sue Prent:
The Breuers have supported the Massachusetts Independent Political Action Committee for Working Families, (MIPAC) and the Family Research Council Political Action Committee, identified in 2010 as a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Carol Breuer has also given generously to the infamous Family Research Council Action PAC.
All of these entities have focussed on undermining the rights of the LGBTQ community.
Okay, so these are the folks trying to bolster the Republican minority in the House. And, it's fair to infer, trying to swing the GOP caucus rightward even as Phil Scott presents a moderate face to the electorate.
These four people have been tossing around thousand-dollar checks like they're makin' it rain at Da Club. They, and entities under their influence*, have given a total of $96,550 to Republican House candidates. On top of that, they've given $16,000 to House Minority Leader Don Turner's Commonsense Leadership PAC. That's a total of $112,550 to build the House Republican caucus.
*Companies, trusts, family members
One example of how a few big checks can have an outsized impact: in the Lamoille-Orleans district, Democrat Katherine Sims is challenging incumbent Republican Mark Higley. Sims has raised $10,788, almost entirely from small donors.
Higley has raised $9,900, but more than half of that came from The Big Four — $1,000 from Broughton, $2,000 from Vallee, and $2,000 from the Breuers. Those four donors, who live outside Higley's district, have made him financially competitive all by themselves.
In Chittenden 7-2, Sam Handy is one of the Republicans' best hopes to pick up a seat. He's up against incumbent Dem Ann Pugh. Handy has raised $9,700. almost all from large donations. He took in $6,000 from the Big Four — nearly two-thirds of his campaign kitty. Thanks to them, he's raised more money than Pugh, who's taken in most of her warchest from small donors.
In my district, Washington 5, perennial candidate Dexter Lefavour is a longshot Republican in a reliably Democratic district (although Progressive Carl Etnier could split the liberal vote). Lefavour has raised a total of $4,675 in cash. Nearly two-thirds of that came from the Big Four.
Down in Addison-3, incumbent Republican Warren Van Wyck has raised just under $10,000, the vast majority in gifts over $100. He's received $4,000 from the Big Four.
The pattern is repeated over and over. Candidate after candidate has received thousands from these four donors. Mary Beerworth (head of Vermont Right to Life) and Penny Dubie (wife of Brian and anti-wind activist) got $4,000 apiece. Don Turner, Monique Thurston, Valerie Mullin, Brian Keefe, Bob Plageman, Carl Rosenquist, Jason Moquin, and Stuart Lindberg each received $3,000. Many others got $2,500 or $2,000.
(Among those receiving lesser, but still substantial, amounts: $1,500 went to Michael McGarghan, the Republican candidate who sent out a Tweet calling for President Obama to be hanged as a traitor.)
For each, the Big Four money is a windfall that immediately made them financially competitive.
In recent years, the VTGOP has had a lot of trouble recruiting legislative candidates. The Big Four should provide an immeasurable boost to recruitment, since any would-be candidate can start on Day One with thousands of dollars in the kitty.
In terms of retaining the House majority, Democrats don't have anything to worry about this year. They're more likely to add a few seats than to lose ground. But if the Big Four is in this for the long haul, they could go a long way toward shifting the legislative balance of power.
This entry was posted in 2016 election, Campaign finance, Vermont House of Representatives, Vermont Republican Party and tagged Ann Pugh, Carol Breuer, Commonsense Leadership PAC, Dexter Lefavour, Family Research Council, Green Mountain Daily, Katherine Sims, Lenore Broughton, Mark Higley, Mary Beerworth, Penny Dubie, Republican State Leadership Committee, Sam Handy, Skip Vallee, Sue Prent, Tom Breuer, Warren Van Wyck on October 19, 2016 by John S. Walters.
← Phil Scott said something dumb about technology yesterday On the VPR Poll →
7 thoughts on "Big donors, big money in targeted House districts"
Brooke Paige October 19, 2016 at 2:57 pm
Down-Country Cash !
While we are looking at outsiders who are donating "big bucks" in our political races here's some contributions to consider (as of October 15) : Sue Minter's out-of-state contributions: $647,930.77 vs. Phil Scott's out-of-state contributions: $145,780.73
( https://campaignfinance.sec.state.vt.us/Pub…/CampaignToDate… )
John S. Walters Post author October 19, 2016 at 4:52 pm
And then there's the RGA's $2 million-plus expenditure on behalf of Phil. Outside donors don't need to give to Phil directly; they can go through the RGA.
Kelly Cummings October 19, 2016 at 3:20 pm
It's really important to follow the money and find out who's behind it and just what their agenda is. It also paints a very clear picture of the candidates belief system who accepts the money and who they'll be representing in Montpelier.
The Vermont Republicans like to say they're different from the DC Republicans and Donald Trump. But no. No they're not.
The proof is in the pudding and the writing's on the wall.
walter carpenter October 19, 2016 at 4:25 pm
"But if the Big Four is in this for the long haul, they could go a long way toward shifting the legislative balance of power."
Our own Koch Brothers, using the power of big money to get their way.
Sue Prent October 19, 2016 at 5:59 pm
One more interesting thing I discovered in my research is that Dustin Degree appears to have never filed his post-election report in 2014; and even though, from his last filing, he seems to have had significant money remaining after the election, he reports a 0 balance in his first filing of 2016. Have a look!
Linda Maloney October 19, 2016 at 6:09 pm
I had to go to Rutland last weekend. Gas there was $2.17. It's $2.34 in Enosburg. Vallee gives to Republicans and hates Bernie. Need I say more?
walter carpenter October 20, 2016 at 5:49 am
"Gas there was $2.17. It's $2.34 in Enosburg. Vallee gives to Republicans and hates Bernie. "
That says it all.
2014 election 2016 election 2020 election Bernie Sanders Bill Sorrell Bruce Lisman Budget Business Campaign finance Economy Education Energy Environment ethics Health care reform justice and corrections Law Matt Dunne Peter Shumlin Phil Scott Politics Scott Milne Sue Minter Taxation The media theVPO Uncategorized Vermont Democratic Party Vermont Republican Party Vermont State Senate
Pearce's Pivot
Act Like Nothing's Wrong
Panel Recommends Complete Overhaul of State Tax System Yada Yada Yada
For the Women's Prison, a long slog to respectability
Ex-Politician Undertakes Research Project; Media Outlet Swoons
Search theVPO
Days of Postings Past