Bernier, Murphy fundraising figures show strong support for candidates

Justin Bernier, a Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in the Fifth Congressional District, and incumbent Chris Murphy have released their fundraising totals for the July-through-September period.

Bernier said the figures show strong support for his campaign in Connecticut.

In the third quarter of 2009 he raised nearly $121,000 and spent less than $17,000.

According to Murphy’s campaign headquarters, in the third quarter of 2009 Murphy raised $250,000. To date, total money raised for the 2010 election cycle is $966,000. His cash on hand was $706,000.

Bernier thanked supporters who helped him meet his fundraising goal.

“You can feel the excitement for our campaign growing,” he said. “Voters tell us they want job creation in the private sector — not more borrowing and spending in Congress.”

The National Republican Congressional Committee, the political organization charged with electing Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives, reacted positively to Bernier’s fundraising numbers.

“Justin Bernier’s fundraising total is a strong showing that demonstrates GOP momentum in Connecticut and across the country,” said NRC Spokesman Tory Mazzola. He noted that Democratic incumbent Chris Murphy “votes more than 98 percent of the time with Speaker Nancy Pelosi,” and added that voters in western Connecticut want “a strong, independent voice in Congress.”

Colleen Flanagan, Connecticut Democratic Party communications director, countered that “Chris is focused on bringing good-paying jobs to Connecticut and helping to make health care more accessible and affordable for families in the state.” She added that on issues of importance to people in the Fifth Congressional District, “Chris Murphy is the person they know can help them out and [will] continue to represent them faithfully in Congress.”

Bernier, who has yet to win the Republican nomination in the district, pointed out that his third quarter fundraising report “compares well with Murphy’s report from four years ago, when he successfully challenged Rep. Nancy Johnson in the Fifth District.”

Bernier raised approximately $117,000 in individual contributions in the third quarter of 2009. Murphy raised $99,650 in individual contributions during the same reporting period in 2005.

“Murphy, however, took more in contributions from special interest groups,” Bernier said.

In the third quarter of 2009 Bernier spent $16,894. He said Murphy’s expenditures totaled $18,216 during the same time period in 2005.

Overall, Bernier’s third-quarter total for 2009 was 13 percent off of Murphy’s third-quarter total for 2005.

“Bernier’s numbers look especially strong in a fundraising environment characterized by a deep economic recession and all-Democratic rule in Washington, DC,” Mazzola said.

The Bernier campaign announced endorsements from leading Republicans in Connecticut, including eight state central committee members who represent 27 of 41 towns in the Fifth Congressional District.

Bernier has also has the support of former U.S. Reps. Nancy Johnson and U.S. Senate hopeful Rob Simmons and Connecticut Senate Minority Leader John McKinney.
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