PROVIDENCE – Most of the major party candidates for governor have indicated they will seek state matching funds for the private contributions they raise in 2018 and abide by spending limits for campaigns.
Only Gov. Gina M. Raimondo, a Democrat, and Joseph A. Trillo, who is running as an independent, did not file the required form by the June 27 deadline, called a notice of participation. Raimondo has already raised in excess of the limit.
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By qualifying for the matching funds, her opponents this year will get a funding boost for their own campaigns.
Republican candidates Allan W. Fung, Patricia L. Morgan and Giovanni Feroce all submitted their notice on time. Matt Brown, a Democrat who is running against Raimondo, did as well.
Candidates who seek the matching funds agree to limit their campaign contributions and expenditures. This year, the Rhode Island Board of Elections has set the limit at $2.35 million for gubernatorial candidates, although those who face a primary opponent may raise and spend another $785,667.
Candidates for governor who meet the requirements and file for the match can get up to $1.18 million.
As of late March, Raimondo had already raised almost twice the capped amount. Her first quarter filing indicated she had $4.3 million in her election fund balance. She started with $3.3 million and raised another $1.3 million in individual contributions.
Trillo, a former Warwick state representative, started the first quarter with $126,985 and raised $6,825 from contributors.
His campaign manager, Hal Rilling, said the matching funds are primarily designed to help the major party candidates, not independents. “He’s financing his own campaign,” Rilling said.
The Raimondo campaign could not be reached immediately for comment Thursday.
Mary MacDonald is a staff writer for the PBN. Contact her at macdonald@PBN.com.
