Once again, the Select Board race is an expensive one, with incumbent Kevin Canty receiving more in contributions than any of the other three candidates on the ballot, according to the latest campaign finance filings.
The election ends Saturday, May 16, but early in-person voting began last week and continues through Wednesday. Mail-in ballots are also being accepted.
Canty is running for one of two seats up for grabs on the five-member board. Both are for three-year terms. He faces fellow incumbent Dick Quintal and challengers Betty Cavacco and Scott Vecchi.
Between Jan. 1 and Apr. 28, Canty spent $14,495, according to campaign finance reports. Vecchi spent $13,938. Quintal and Cavacco trailed, spending $3,008 and $2,549 respectively. However, Cavacco and Quintal both benefited from outside spending by the Massachusetts Teachers Association. The MTA’s political action committee spent $3,474 dollars each on mailings for Quintal and Cavacco.
Canty reported receiving $17,280 in donations. He contributed $5,500 to his own campaign and had the most contributors, 92, who gave contributions ranging from $2 to $1,000. There were four $1,000 contributions, one each from his Select Board colleague Deb Iaquinto, retired resident Gail Butler, Kingston resident Thomas Hulien, a certified public accountant, and Marshfield resident Amy Nerger, a consultant. Canty’s average contribution was $188. In addition to spending the most money, Canty had the most out-of-town contributors: 6.
Vecchi is funding his own campaign. He reported raising more money than Canty, $18,525, though all but $25 came in loans from Vecchi to his campaign.
Quintal reported raising $5,470 from 28 contributions ranging from $50 to $500. His average contribution was $195, with three out-of-town donors.
Cavacco reported raising $2,900 from 18 contributions ranging from $50 to $500. Her average contribution was $161, with three out-of-town donors.
Lawn signs and mailed campaign materials ate up most of the money for three of the candidates. Canty spent $12,207 on two mailers. Quintal spent $2,652 on stamps. Cavacco spent $1,820 on lawn signs.
Vecchi tried a different strategy. He spent $9,455 on cable television and radio ads.
Fred Thys can be reached at fred@plymouthindependent.org.