Strimling, Scontras report loans to own campaigns
PORTLAND, Maine --Campaign finance disclosure reports show that Democrat Ethan Strimling and Republican Dean Scontras have loaned tens of thousands of dollars to their 1st Congressional District nomination campaigns in recent weeks.
Reports filed last week show that Strimling took out a $30,000 loan on May 16 and Scontras loaned $35,000 to his campaign on May 8.
"He's committed to his campaign," Strimling spokesman Dennis Bailey said. "He's committed to winning."
As of May 21, Scontras reported $66,509 in debt and $7,244 in cash remaining. "In terms of our game, we're exactly where we want to be," said Michael Pajak, Scontras' campaign manager.
The reports, filed with the Federal Election Commission, list contributions, expenditures and loans between April 1 and May 21. They include an overview of total campaign assets and debts three weeks before the primary.
In the Democratic race, Chellie Pingree continues to hold a commanding fundraising lead over her five opponents.
Pingree had $351,925 remaining on May 21. Her campaign said that only $181,000 can be spent prior to the general election campaign. The balance was donated by contributors who had already made the primary campaign's maximum allowable donation.
No other Democratic candidate had more than $100,000 left to spend before the primary, according to the reports.
In the Republican race, Charlie Summers had $49,000 left to spend as of May 21. Like Scontras, Summers reported more debt than cash.
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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com 