Campaign Finance Reports Are In

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

Several local candidates for office handed in campaign finance report eight days before the election on Nov. 3. Newly elected Town Council President Robert Driscoll Jr. so far has come in as the top fundraiser, followed by newly elected School Committee candidate Valentino “Tino” Capobianco.

Driscoll, as reported by his campaign treasurer Richard Rodes, raised $9,474 and spent $6,733 so far.

Some of his noteworthy contributors were: attorneys Joseph and Philip Boncore, $100 each; Tino Capobianco, $25; Paul Caruccio, $25; attorney James Cipoletta, $250; four members of the Driscoll family, totaling $420; the Gill family, totaling $275;  John Stasio, $500; and Winthrop Market owner Marc and Sherrilynn Wallerce, $100.

It seems that eager candidates tend to raise a healthy amount of campaign finances, and no one was more eager to run for School Committee than Valentino “Tino” Capobianco, raised $8,855 and spent $3,349 according to his treasurer Gabriela Coletta.

Noticable contributors included State Rep. Adrian Madaro, $100; Town Councillor Rich Boyajian, $75; family members, $1,200; Capobianco himself, $2,000; Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, $100; grant coordinator Cathy DelVento, $250; Richard DiMento, $250; clerk of the courts, Michael Sullivan, $200; regional organizing director for Hillary for America, Richard Thuma, $100; and lobbyist Robert Travaglini, $200. Also political consultant Michael Goldman, $100; Robert Driscoll, $100; Revere School Committee member Carol Tye, $50;and attorney James DeTullio, $100.

In the Town Council race for Precinct 4, newly elected attorney Heather Engman raised $4,290 and spent $3,552 according to her treasurer Astrid Weins. She put in $1,700 of her own money. Also donating were attorney Joseph Boncore; Council President Peter Gill, $60; and Board of Health chair Nick LoConte, $30.

Two candidates who were unsuccessful in attaining office also reported their donations. Michael A. Bertino, who ran for a Precinct 2 seat on the Town Council, raised $4,245 and spent $1,618 according to his treasurer Scott Kinsella. Donors included attorney Joseph Boncore, $50; Winthrop Gymnastics, $100; and Barbara Lombard of Nahant, owner of G&J towing, $500.

Jared Wickham, who ran for one of three School Committee seats, raised $1,620 and spent $1,281 according to his treasurer Christopher Summa. He received donations from Robert Driscoll Jr., $100 and $850 from Edward Wickham, an import/export agent.

Another campaign finance report is due 30 days after the election.

Newly elected candidates will be sworn in to office in January.