Debate Flash Point: Campaign Money From Outside Peabody

Campaign donations — and where they came from — provided the most electric moments of Wednesday's debate among the three candidates hoping to represent Peabody on Beacon Hill.

The Republican candidate, political newcomer Leah Cole, has turned in some impressive fundraising numbers. Her opponents, Democrat Beverley Griffin Dunne and independent Dave Gravel, were quick to point out that most of the money has come from people outside Peabody.

"Unlike you, I don't take PAC money," Gravel said during one exchange. Cole had asked him to explain his reticence to raise taxes while being endorsed by the Mass. Teachers Association, which supports the governor's tax plan.

"I don't get my money from Marlborough. I get my money from Peabody, from our own citizens here," Gravel said.

Dunne made similar remarks during the debate, which was sponsored by the Salem News and the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce.

"This is a Peabody election and we need to decide on our own destiny," Dunne said. "We're having a lot of interest from other areas. I don't want that interest to turn negative, the way it seems to be doing this week."

The barb was in reference to a flyer distributed by the Massachusetts Republican Party that has photos of Gov. Deval Patrick flanked by Dunne and Gravel with the message: "Peas in a Pod."

Cole defended her fundraising, saying a lot of people across the state are concerned about their taxes possibly going up and are excited about someone who is going to stand up for them.

She said the money helps her spread her message in Peabody, where she didn't have the connections of her more well-established opponents.

As to the negative ad from the state GOP, Cole said, her campaign had nothing to do with the literature. She said she has run a positive campaign.

The special election is April 2 for the 12th Essex District to fill the vacant seat left by the death of Joyce Spiliotis.