Connecticut recently saw the first run of its new Clean Elections program during a special election in the 113th district to replace state Rep. Richard Beldin who passed away. Both candidates, Republican Jason Perillo (the eventual winner) and Democrat James Orazietti shared their thoughts after the election on using the system.


Perillo, an accountant and alderman from Shelton Connecticut sought election hoping to address what he felt was a "crossroads from an economic development and fiscal responsibility standpoint" for Shelton, and Connecticut. Perillo had participated in an election for alderman using a traditional fundraising model and, on the differences between that campaign and this one using public financing "I would have had to spend an awful lot more money fundraising [in a privately financed election]. At the end of the day I was able to spend more time with voters than donors. So that’s a good thing. The campaign was about issues and the kind of person that I am."


James Orazietti, a planner at Sakorsky Aircraft and a veteran of three campaigns running against Rep. Beldin calls public office "one of the most rewarding jobs" he can think of. His particular interests are downtown redevelopment in Shelton, traffic and transportation issues, and environmental concerns. Like Perillo, he said the primary difference in running using public financing was that using a traditional private fundraising model "most of the time I would have spent [was] raising money" but with public financing "once I was qualified, that was it" and particularly towards the end of the campaign he "had more time to talk with voters." Though Orazietti was skeptical about the requirement to collect $5 qualifying contributions from supporters, he praised the level of support he received from Connecticut's election commission who oversee the program.


No doubt this election was a good "warm up" for the law before the public financing option is available to candidates in next year's general election. Thanks to Rep. Perillo and Mr. Orazietti for talking with Public Campaign about their experiences.