Kanjorski, Carney get large sums from PACs

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.comTimes Leader Staff Writer

A closer look at the campaign finance reports filed over the weekend shows that both U.S. Reps. Paul E. Kanjorski and Chris Carney received a substantial amount of money from Political Action Committees or PACs.

That raised the ire of challengers who tried to align their incumbent opponents with the beltway and Wall Street, rather than the I-80 and I-81 corridors and Main Street.

Carney’s campaign took in $121,906 from PACs and $25,632 from individuals.

Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk, who is one of four Republicans vying to challenge Carney, D-Dimock Township, fired away at Carney’s fourth quarter financial report.

“One troubling aspect of his most recent report is the fact that only 16 percent came from individual donors, while 84 percent of his contributions came from inside the beltway lobbyists, PACs, and other sources. His votes, like his contributions, are clearly aligned with the Washington, D.C. establishment. Chris Carney should be more concerned about protecting the citizens of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania than the special interests in Washington, D.C.”

A response from Carney campaign spokesman Josh Drobnyk said that the congressman was intent on serving the people of the district, regardless of political affiliation.

“Congressman Carney is grateful for the support he receives from Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike and is working hard to protect our families and improve our region’s economy during these tough times.”

Kanjorski’s campaign accepted $111,900 from PACs, and $121,241 from individual donors. Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, faces a Democratic primary challenge from Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O’Brien and then a potential match-up with one of two Republicans squaring off in the May primary, either Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta or Sky Top hedge fund manager Chris Paige.

O’Brien’s campaign spokesman Justin Carroll jumped on the list of individuals donating to Kanjorski’s campaign, noting that only four of them lived in the 11th district.

Campaign records show those donors are: Dr. Joseph Mattioli, owner of Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Rose Mattioli, secretary and treasurer of Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, attorney John Moses of Wilkes-Barre and Robert Lovenheim, of Shawnee-On-Delaware.

“During the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, Wall Street isn’t just collecting record bonuses – it’s helping Paul Kanjorski set records of his own,” a campaign e-mail stated, then reeling off where Kanjorski ranks on list of recipients from various sectors including banking, mortgage, insurance and credit unions.

Kanjorski sits on the House Financial Services Committee and is the chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises, which has jurisdiction over securities, exchanges, and insurance matters, with the exception of health insurance.

Vince Galko, spokesman for Barletta’s campaign, said that his candidate will never be able to compete when it comes to raising money from big business and political action committees.

“It’s clear where his priorities are and who he’ll be indebted to,” Galko said, also noting the shortage of local individuals contributing to Kanjorski.

The Kanjorski campaign responded with questions of its own regarding the donors to both the Barletta and O’Brien campaigns.

“Rather than negative attacks on where our money is coming from, Barletta and O’Brien should explain their donations from people doing business with Hazleton City and Lackawanna County. What do those vendors expect from their support of the mayor and commissioner?” asked Ed Mitchell, Kanjorski’s campaign spokesman.

“What they’re trying to do is divert attention from their poor showings they had raising money,” Mitchell said.

Andrew M. Seder, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 570-829-7269.