Outside groups pour money into 14th Essex House race
By Douglas Moser, The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass. | McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Two groups, one supporting Smedile and one opposing DiZoglio, together have spent more than
At the same time, nearly two dozen political action committees and unions have donated a total of about
The two outside groups whose spending is supporting Smedile said they are interested in this race, among several others around
"We're here to try to counteract the liberal machine that supports one party rule on
Jobs
Jobs
"Our focus and mission is to educate voters on the democratic process, and in this case how their officials voted," said
Craney has donated to Smedile's campaign and volunteered for her for a time, but he said he stopped volunteering once Mass Fiscal decided to spend on the race.
Mass Fiscal is a non-profit social welfare organization under federal tax regulations. That means it may spend money on public education that aligns with its mission, and while that public education can cross into political territory, political spending cannot make up a majority of its expenses, according to federal regulations.
Social welfare organizations must disclose political spending in
Craney said Mass Fiscal is spending in 21 state legislative races this year. "Voters in these districts are receptive to our message to fiscal responsibility and government transparency," he said.
Through
One political group, Democrats for Education Reform PAC and two unions, Professional Firefighters of
DiZoglio was chief of staff to the president of the Professional Firefighters of
"As firefighters, we have a unique understanding of the local communities where we live and work," said
Democrats for Education Reform has spent
The Professional Firefighters have spent
While outside groups are spending directly on election materials more heavily in favor of Smedile, 21 political committees and unions have contributed a total of
DiZoglio said the unions and political groups who donated to her represent working families, and unions in particular have their members vote on whom to support.
"There's a big difference between a group of people in something like a labor organization and each member having a vote on which candidates to support and paying dues than somebody donating obscene amounts of funds into a special interest PAC that was just formed a few months ago," DiZoglio said, referring to Jobs First PAC.
Smedile said the groups' spending is a matter of freedom of speech. "I'm a huge supporter of freedom of speech. I believe some of the points they made are accurate and i think the most important thing is it would be up to
In all, the outside groups have spent
The election is
Follow
Outside groups spending in DiZoglio-Smedile race:
Jobs
Professional Fire Fighters of
Democrats for Education Reform PAC --
TOTAL --
PACs & unions that donated to DiZoglio directly
-------
No PACs or unions have donated to Smedile's campaign.
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(c)2014 The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.)
Visit The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.) at www.eagletribune.com
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