In one three-week stretch ahead of the Sept. 13 primary election, the six main candidates for governor spent a combined $2.1 million.
Much of the money, as it does for most political candidates in statewide races, was spent on television advertising and out-of-state consulting. But a still sizeable $259,500 went to locally owned businesses, according to campaign finance reports.
It would be a Herculean task to tally up all the local spending by the hundreds of candidates who have run for elected office in the state this election cycle. But as this week’s cover story reports, there’s a sizable local campaign economy.
Political consultant Guy Dufault, a former state Democratic Party chairman, estimates it will provide a $10 million boost this election season to printers, caterers, banquet halls, audio-visual companies and other local businesses.
Every two years these businesses count on an economic infusion that University of Rhode Island economics professor Liam C. Malloy told PBN is similar to what many summer businesses expect during those months.
Regine Printing Co. in Providence collected more than $200,000 through Sept. 13, benefiting in part from a union affiliation.
Others, such as West Warwick’s Millonzi Fine Catering, may only see a few thousand dollars, though the ripple effects from political gatherings include future business from attendees.
This year’s statewide races are particularly welcomed by many smaller businesses that have fought through the pandemic and are now eying the stretch run to the Nov. 8 general election.