Sean Grace Awarded Citizens’ Election Program Grant

The Sean Grace for State Senate Campaign has officially received a Citizen’s Election Program grant, and the first-time candidate has qualified for the program without the benefit of a wealthy donor network. Like most State Senate candidates, Grace is using the public financing program, which limits the influence of big money in Connecticut politics. But unlike most General Assembly candidates, Grace has qualified by collecting donations of no more than $100, with an average contribution of less than $30. The grant funds will enable Grace’s grassroots campaign to build upon its momentum through the August 14th primary and into the November 6th general election.

The campaign of Sean Grace, a grassroots Democratic candidate for the 17th State Senate district, has been awarded a Citizens’ Election Program (CEP) grant. The CEP limits the influence of wealthy donors in Connecticut politics by providing all participating candidates with equal funding and capping contributions at $250. True to his progressive beliefs, the first-time candidate Grace went further. Grace appears to be the only State Senate candidate to be awarded a CEP grant while respecting the original $100 limit placed on contributions before 2018, boasting an average contribution of less than $30.

“This grassroots campaign is powered by volunteers committed to creating a government that represents everyday people, not wealthy elites. It will be the honor of a lifetime to represent our community — the district I have lived in my whole life — in Hartford,” Grace declares. “I want to thank each of the dozens of volunteers who helped us earn this grant while knocking on the doors of thousands of voters in Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck, and Woodbridge. And of course, this would have been impossible without the extraordinary support of my friends and family throughout our district, especially my three children, my parents, and my wife Dahlia.”

State Senate candidates participating in the CEP must collect 300 contributions from their districts as well as raise $15,300 in total. Grace, a former floor manager for the Cheshire-based distributor Bozzuto’s, reached these goals in an uncommon way.

“We have always been more concerned with reaching voters than setting fundraising records. However, we raised $16,578 from an impressive 555 individuals, with about half of all in-district contributions raised while canvassing voters door-to-door,” recounts Sean for State Senate Treasurer and Hamden Councilwoman Lauren Garrett.

The grant received from the CEP today will fuel the Grace campaign’s ramp up through the August 14th
primary and into the November 6th general election.

“A strong grassroots campaign is always growing — right up to election day. That’s why we will spend
every cent of our grant to engage each registered Democrat in the 17th State Senate district. If you want to join our campaign and send one of us to Hartford, reach out through our Facebook page!” concludes campaign manager Becca Swimmer