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April 16, 2014  

A quick look at Meehan, Balchunis and Brady’s campaign finance reports

The first-quarter campaign finance filing deadline for federal candidates was yesterday. Here’s a quick look at the campaign funding raised by each of Delaware County’s candidates for the House of Representatives.

  • Incumbent Patrick Meehan, R-7, of Upper Darby, reported receiving $149,014 during the first quarter, including $141,575 in campaign contributions. He received $65,575 from individual donors and $76,000 from political action committees. Meehan reported $130,772 in operating expenses, leaving him with $1.6 million at hand.
  • Meehan’s Democratic opponent, Mary Ellen Balchunis, reported receiving $10,119 in campaign contributions, including $8,795 from individual donors. She raised $1,000 from political action committees and $324 from candidate contributions. Balchunis, of Ardmore, reported $506 in operating expenses, leaving her with $9,612 at hand.
  • Incumbent Robert Brady, D-1, of Philadelphia, reported receiving $90,307 during the first quarter, including $90,075 in campaign contributions. Brady received $72,075 from individual donors and $18,000 from political action committees. He reported $65,869 in disbursements, including $62,934 in operating expenses. Brady has $695,640 in hand.
  • Brady’s Republican opponent, Megan Rath, did not file a first-quarter campaign finance report.

Check out the Daily Times later this week for a closer look at the candidates’ reports.

February 24, 2014  

Save Upper Darby Arts group forms politcal action committee

Save Upper Darby Arts announced that it has created a political action committee to advocate for “high quality” public education across Pennsylvania.

Save Upper Darby Arts is a community organization that fought to save the Upper Darby School District’s art, music, physical education, library, technology and foreign language programs from being cut in 2012. The group attracted national media attention by producing a video and gathering more than 22,000 petition signatures. The group’s efforts led to the General Assembly restoring $2.726 million to Upper Darby.

The PAC will support candidates for statewide offices in both the primary and general election.

“Equal opportunity begins with equal access to quality education,” SUDA founder Colleen Kennedy said in a statment. “We need lawmakers who will fight fora level playing field for all of Pennsylvania’s public school children. Our country is founded on the principle of equal opportunity, and Pennsylvania students have lost their constitutional right to ‘a thorough and efficient system of public education.’

“With true allies in Harrisburg who fight ferociously and unapologetically for a restoration of $1 billion in state funding cuts, an immediate institution of fair funding formula and accountability measures for all schools receiving taxpayer funding, SUDA PAC can help restore faith to Pennsylvania communities.”

February 21, 2014  

Iron Workers Local 401 contributed to 7 Delco pols last year

The political action committee of Iron Workers Local 401 contributed to the campaigns of seven Delaware County political figures last year.

The union had 10 members, including business manager Joseph Dougherty, indicted this week for allegedly conspiring to commit extortion, arson, property destruction and assault in order to force construction contractors to hire union ironworkers. More on that here.

The union’s PAC donated to dozens of political campaigns throughout the state last year, including seven campaigns with direct ties to Delaware County:

  • Friends of Joe McGinn, Feb. 20, $1,000;
  • Bob Brady for Congress, March 26, $5,000;
  • Friends of David White, April 9, $400;
  • Friends of Ted Erickson, May 6, $500;
  • Friends of Joe Sestak, Sept. 5, $5,000;
  • John Kane for State Senate, Sept. 30, $7,500;
  • Committee to elect Ron Waters, Oct. 14, $500.

The Daily Times is contacting each of them to see whether they plan to keep, return or donate the money.