While 2010 was not an election year for Somerville’s elected officials, that didn’t stop contributors from donating almost as much money to Mayor Joseph Curtatone as he had received during his 2009 re-election campaign.
The 2010 campaign finance report recently became available through the state’s Office of Campaign Political Finance, which now offers a searchable database. This is the first year the state has asked for the report.
Curtatone, who announced he would seek a fifth term as mayor late last month, took in $119,222.55 in contributions in 2010, slightly less than the $136,000 received than during his 2009 run.
Curtatone said he takes no pleasure in soliciting campaign funds.
“I personally hate fundraising,” he said. “It’s really a pain.”
Curtatone said the amounts he’s taking in are dictated by political necessity. While he was not aware of a potential challenger – he ran unopposed in 2009 – he wants to remain prepared.
“We always want to have a cushion if we do get a challenger,” he said. “Campaigns are not cheap. It’s one of the things about elected office, especially in difficult economic times: It’s hard to ask people for money.”
With more than $90,000 of the money raised in 2010 spent on consulting expenses, travel, charitable contributions and credit card payments, Curtatone’s own loans to the campaign remain outstanding. He has carried $101,870.91 in loans to his own campaign since 2008, while his wife, Nancy, has had $13,137.50 in loans since 2007.
