Jen Benson Finance Report Shows Support Across District
Jen Benson with mother and daughter

October 28, 2008 — Jen Benson, candidate for State Representative in the 37th Middlesex District, received the vast majority of her campaign contributions from the towns in the 37th Middlesex District, with notable support from elected officials in those towns, according to state reports released this week.

"I have been running a strong, grass roots campaign with a focus on our district and the issues facing its citizens," said Benson. "I am proud that most of the money we have raised has come from individual donors from the towns in the district. I am even more proud of the volunteers that have made phone calls, gone door-to-door and stuffed envelopes-the kind of support that doesn't show up on spreadsheets and finance reports."

Benson received a total of $54,093.27 in donations with $38,624.22 or 71 percent coming from towns within the district.

In addition to showing general support from the district, donations to the Benson campaign showed strong support from elected officials in the district towns. This includes six Board of Selectmen members, seven School Committee members, two Town Moderators, and members of several other town boards and committees.

Benson's Republican opponent, Kurt Hayes, received a total of $17,942.12 in donations with $6440.00 or 36 percent of the donations coming from towns within the district and 64 percent of his donations coming from individuals and groups outside the district. He received $4,485 from the Massachusetts Independent PAC for Working Families, a lobbying group working to take marriage rights away from same-sex couples, and regular contributors to that group.

"While I received 87 percent of my contributions from individuals, I am very proud of the groups that have made contributions to my campaign," said Benson. "I have received endorsement and support from groups such as nurses, roofers, and teachers which I have made public on my web site."

Benson vowed to continue carrying her issue-based message to the voters. "This is an important election and the focus needs to be on the issues affecting our district's citizens: the economy, jobs, schools, the environment and healthcare," said Benson. "These are the issues that will face our next State Representative, and these are the issues I will continue to address."

More information on Benson's campaign can be found at www.jenbenson.org.