Robertson Closes Money Gap With Prinzivalli In State Rep Race

TEWKSBURY, MA -- Dave Robertson, the Democratic nominee running for state representative for Wilmington and all but one precinct of Tewksbury, used his Sept. 4 primary win over four other Democrats to boost his fundraising, according to campaign finance reports filed last week. Robertson raised $13,234.71, between August 27 and October 19 while his opponent, Republican Pina Prinzivalli, raised $5,667.00 during the same period.

A third candidate, independent Patricia Meuse took in $1,635.

None of the candidates Robertson defeated in the primary -- Wilmington Selectman Michael McCoy, Tewksbury Selectman Mark Kratman, former Wilmington Selectman Judy O'Connell or Wilmington Democratic Committee chair Erika Johnson -- contributed to his campaign after losing on September 4.

Despite taking in more money, Robertson was outspent by Prinzivalli in the reporting period. Her campaign $12,566.94, leaving her with just $8,394.57 at the end of the reporting period. Robertson's campaign spent $5,083.43, leaving his campaign with $12,442.58 on hand as the race entered the final weeks.

In addition to the usual expenditures -- lawn signs, mailers and postage -- Prinzivalli 's campaign has spent money on an online effort to woo voters. The campaign spent $750 on Facebook ads. It also paid $5,500 to the Massachusetts GOP for 'coordinated campaign services." She also got more assistance from the Marlborough Republican Committee, including $600 for digital banner ads.

Robertson's expenditures were more modest, and many of them were for fundraisers and campaign events. He did spend $350 for "campaign strategy" from DAPA Research; by comparison, the campaign spent $462.74 at A.J.'s Kitchen for campaign meals and put down a $500 deposit at the Tewksbury Country Club for its post-election gathering.

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Patch file photo via Shutterstock.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).