New Finance Reports: Roraback Has More Cash Than Esty

During the first 17 days of October, Republican congressional candidate Andrew Roraback raised and spent more money than his opponent, Democrat Elizabeth Esty.

His latest campaign finance report also shows that he had more money on hand as of Oct. 17.

Esty, however, has raised more money overall.

The latest finance reports for Roraback and Esty were filed with the Federal Election Commission Thursday. They take into account contributions and spending from Oct. 1 through Oct. 17.

Roraback, of Goshen, reported raising $241,722 during that time and $1.3 million overall. According to his report, he spent $345,899 over those 17 days. He had $202,794 on hand as of Oct. 17.

Roraback loaned his campaign $25,000 shortly before the Aug. 14 Republican primary. He hasn’t loaned any money since.

Esty, of Cheshire, raised $211,281 and loaned her campaign $45,000 during the 17-day period. She’s raised $2.39 million overall, and she’s loaned her campaign a total of $570,000.

In the beginning of October, Esty spent $320,387. At the conclusion of the reporting period, she had $172,587 on hand.

Contributions made to the campaigns came from a variety of sources, including television personalities, college professors and political action committees.

ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman, who lives in Cheshire, gave Esty $1,000 during the reporting period. He’s given his neighbor $1,800 overall.

Esty also received $1,000 from William Bloss, the attorney for Joshua Nassi.

Nassi was the campaign manager for former congressional candidate Chris Donovan. He was one of two Donovan staffers to be arrested as a result of a FBI investigation into Donovan’s campaign finances.

Donovan, a Democrat from Meriden, lost to Esty in the Democratic primary. He remained in the 5th Congressional District race as a Working Families Party candidate, but withdrew from the race in late August.

As for Roraback, he received money from one of his Republican primary opponents. Simsbury businesswoman Lisa Wilson-Foley gave him $500. He also got $500 from former state Republican Party Chairman Chris Healy, who worked for Wilson-Foley’s campaign.

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon also contributed to Roraback’s campaign. Vince McMahon, the husband of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon, gave him $2,500.