PoliKarbonati

The new finance reports take into account campaign contributions and spending that occurred between July 1 and July 25. Esty also received the most money in contributions during that time $89,937, and she spent the most money $637,691. Of the expenditures, $487,170 was spent on media services.

Christopher Donovan, 58, the Meriden resident who was endorsed by the Democratic Party in May, has not contributed any of his own money to his campaign, but still had $377,060 on hand as of July 25. He raised $77,760 last month, showing that his congressional campaign continues to generate support despite the federal investigation into his campaign finances.

What Donovans July finance report did not reveal is how much money was spent on the internal investigation he launched when the FBI began looking into his campaign finances. Donovan hired former US Attorney Stan Twardy was hired to look into whether campaign staff members collected financial contributions in exchange for help in killing a bill in the state legislature. Donovan currently serves as speaker of the state House of Representatives.

Twardy found no evidence that Donovan was aware of the scheme. Donovan strongly denies participation in or knowledge of a campaign finance conspiracy. Eight people have been arrested in the case, but Donovan has not been charged.

Like Esty and Greenberg, Democrat Dan Roberti, 30, of Kent, and Republican Lisa Wilson-Foley, 52, of Simsbury, have also loaned their campaigns substantial sums..

Roberti, who loaned his campaign $580,000 last month, spent $509,013 in July, paying $158,215 for media production services and media time. He also spent $180,000 on a consultant to get out the vote.

Roberti raised $21,445 and had $380,844 left to spend.

Wilson-Foley still has $121,408 in the bank. She spent $346,664 in July, including $225,600 on media buys and another $7,000 on political strategy consulting. She raised $13,890. Although she did not loan her campaign money in July, Wilson-Foley has loaned $585,000 overall and has contributed $3,093.

Compared to other 5th District candidates, Republican Justin Bernier, 36, of Plainville, has contributed substantially less of his own money to his campaign $25,000. Bernier ended July with $105,317 on hand. He collected $40,546 in contributions last month and spent $72,513 most of which was spent on a media buy.

Andrew Roraback, who was endorsed by the Republican Party in May, has not spent his own money on his race. Roraback, 52, of Goshen, had $148,247 on hand at the end of last month, according to his finance report. He received $36,254 in contributions and spent $146,900, including the $65,000 he used to pay for the production and airing of a television advertisement.