Solomon Leads Field in Mayoral Primary Fundraising

WARWICK, RI — Mayor Joseph Solomon is far ahead of his Democratic challengers in funding for the Sept. 12 Warwick mayoral primary, according to recently filed campaign finance reports.

Solomon reported $232,245 in his campaign fund as of Aug. 15, after collecting $39,315 in new contributions and spending $20,874.

The former four-time city council president is seeking a full term as mayor after being appointed to the office in April, following Mayor Scott Avedisian’s resignation to take the position of CEO at Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.

Among Solomon’s top expenditures were $5,000 to Dardan Consulting of Providence and $2,990 to Blue Wave Consulting for consultant and professional services; $1,713 in print advertising; and $1,376 for tent rental at a campaign event held Aug. 8 at Gus’s On the Bay.

That event netted Solomon $3,915, or about 10 percent, of his total contributions between July 1 and Aug. 15, according to his filings with the board of elections.

Gerald Carbone, in his first run for office, reported loaning his campaign $9,900 and raising another $3,264 in contributions while paying $8,590 in campaign-related expenses to end the reporting period with $5,573 in his campaign account. 

Carbone’s report shows that he spent about $7,000 on signs and printing services, among other expenses.

The party’s candidate in 2016, Richard Corrente, paid $9.99 for bank fees and raised no additional money, leaving $24.14 in his campaign account. Corrente lost to Avedisian, 65 percent to 35 percent, after spending more than $40,000 on his campaign two years ago.

Vincent Ferla filed an Affidavit for Filing Exemption with the Rhode Island Board of Elections, stating that he does not plan to either raise more than $100 or spend more than $1,000 on his primary run.

Under state law, candidates are required to submit information on their campaign contributions and spending 28 days prior to the primary vote. A final report of campaign activity is due seven days before the vote, Sept. 5.