Who Are Andover's Political Donors Giving To?

ANDOVER, MA — Andover's political donors spread money widely this year, but showered Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination with the most love among presidential candidates. According to data from the Federal Elections Commission, most of which dates to the end of June, Andover residents gave Warren's campaign over $22,000, around 10 percent of all donations to federal campaigns and candidates through the end of June. They also gave Congresswoman Lori Trahan over $27,000.

Andover's campaign donors gave over $5,000 to seven other presidential candidates, as well as a variety of congressional campaigns and issues-based committees. Over 800 people donated, for a total of $220,974.86 in the first half of the year. A few organizations have reported data for donations after June 31, but the majority cut off at that point. Including the third quarter, Trahan got almost $50,000 from Andover.

Among presidential candidates, Warren received over double the total of the second biggest recipient of Andover's dollars, Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. Gabbard got $9,267, just beating $9,208.58 to President Donald Trump. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden all took in more than $8,000. Even a long shot Trump primary challenger, former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, took in over $6,000.

Almost $45,000 in donations to the Raytheon Company Political Action Committee are listed as coming from Andover, but those refer to Raytheon employees working in Andover.

Many of the actual resident donations came in small increments, often made through ActBlue, a nonprofit which many Democrats use to raise online donations. Over $60,000 in contributions were made through the service. ActBlue itemizes small donations, which is not required, so data on donations to Democrats is more complete than donations to Republicans or other organizations.

The top 10 presidential campaigns with Andover donors, by amount raised, were:

Warren $22,513.51
Gabbard $9,267
Trump $9,208.58
Sanders $8,657.54
Buttigieg $8,514
Biden $8,411.66
Weld $6,800
Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton $6,417.4
California Senator Kamala Harris $4,573
Former Texas Congressman $2,592

Outside of presidential candidates and Congresswoman Trahan, Andover donors also gave thousands to various political committees and congressional candidates. Democratic Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal, the Republican National Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Republican Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy all took in thousands from Andover residents.

Donors used ActBlue to spread donations widely. Andover's top donor, Alexander Chanler, gave almost $5,000 to 39 different campaigns and organizations across 195 separate donations through Actblue. That included $1,284 to Sanders, $725 to Warren, and hundreds to congressional candidates across the country. He gave another $1,184 to Sanders and $1282.51 to other committees directly, for a total of $7,455.52.

Christopher Huffaker: 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com