Out-of-District Money Flooding Congressional Campaign Coffers

Congressmen from Massachusetts are getting most of their campaign money from outside their districts, and in some cases, outside Massachusetts, according to MAPLight.org.

The Bay State’s congressional delegation hauled in nearly $11 million in campaign cash between 2005 and 2007, 81 percent of which came from donors living outside their districts, a new study reveals.

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Newton) took in the most campaign cash of the Massachusetts delegation - $2.4 million - 91 percent of which came from outside his district and 73 percent of which came from out-of-state, according to campaign watchdog MAPLight.org.

Frank spokesman Peter Kovar said Frank’s chairmanship of the House financial services committee and involvement in gay rights and other “high-profile” national issues explains the high percentage of out-of-district donations.

Rep. Ed Markey (D-Malden) topped the Bay State list with 93 percent of his $1.1 million coming from out of his district. Markey ranked 45th of 421 House lawmakers in the study.

Nationally, House members raised $700 million, 79 percent of which came from outside members’ districts.

The study tracked donations of $200 or more.

“Instead of a voting democracy, we have a dollar democracy - may the biggest-spending special interest win,” said MAPLight executive director Daniel Newman.

Other Bay State lawmakers’ donations included:

Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield), $1.1 million, 90 percent out-of-district, 22 percent from Massachusetts;

Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Somerville), $1.2 million, 85 percent from outside his district, 45 percent from Massachusetts;

Rep. James McGovern (D-Worcester), $1 million, 82 percent out-of-district, 47 percent in-state;

Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-Quincy), $802,000, 81 percent out-of-district, 52 percent in-state;

Rep. James Olver (D-Amherst), $971,000, 79 percent out-of-district, 45 percent in-state;

Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-S. Boston), $1.45 million, 73 percent out-of-district, 62 percent in-state;

Rep. John Tierney (D-Salem), $769,000, 58 percent out-of-district, 57 percent in-state.

Tags: Barney Frank, Ed Markey, John Tierney, Michael Capuano, Richard Neal, Stephen Lynch

Add comment November 13th, 2008

Tierney Buckles, Delahunt and Lynch Stick Up For Taxpayer

Representative John Tierney, my former representative, has changed his vote on the bailout bill. Previously voting “no” on a $500 billion bailout, he has now voted “yes” on $700 billion.

Congressman John Tierney has changed his mind and will vote for the Senate-passed $700 billion financial bailout bill.

Tierney tells The Associated Press he reluctantly is supporting the bill because it is the best among a bunch of bad alternatives and something needs to be done to ease panic in the financial markets.

Tierney, William Delahunt and Stephen Lynch were the only House members from Massachusetts who bucked their Democratic leadership and voted against the bailout plan narrowly rejected Monday. That bill did not include tax cuts and other sweeteners that are in the new version of the bill.

Delahunt and Lynch both said they wouldn’t switch their votes because the burden still sits on the taxpayers for the woes of Wall Street.

Thank you, Rep. Delahunt and Rep. Lynch for sticking up for the taxpayer. Rep. Tierney… go screw.

Tags: John Tierney, Stephen Lynch, William Delahunt

3 comments October 3rd, 2008

Bailout Roll Call

How did your representative vote on the $700 billion bailout?

U.S. Reps. Barney Frank, Michael Capuano, Ed Markey, John Olver, Richard Neal, Jim McGovern and Niki Tsongas voted for the massive $700 billion plan that ultimately failed on a 228-205 vote.

Congressmen Stephen Lynch, William Delahunt and John Tierney bucked leadership by voting against the legislation.

All 10 of Massachusetts’ House members are Democrats.

The overall party breakdown on the bill was:

140 Democrats and 65 Republicans in favor.

95 Democrats and 133 Republicans against.

Tags: Barney Frank, Ed Markey, Jim McGovern, John Olver, John Tierney, Michael Capuano, Niki Tsongas, Richard Neal, Stephen Lynch, William Delahunt

1 comment September 30th, 2008