Democrat Paul Jacques is getting heavy financial support from fellow firefighters in his race for state representative in the 4th Bristol District.
Jacques, who works as a firefighter in Attleboro and lives in Rehoboth, has received a total of 159 contributions this year amounting to $42,000.
At least 45 of the donations have come from firefighter associations, which amounts to about $13,150.
The support for Jacques among firefighter unions has come from as far away as the United Firefighters of Los Angles, $750, and as close by as Taunton, $200.
The largest donation was $1,000 from the State Association of Firefighters.
Jacques, who is also a legislative agent for the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, said he has been humbled by the support from his “brothers and sisters” in the firefighting community.
He said the support helps make up for the disadvantage first-time candidates have raising money.
As of late August, his opponent, incumbent state Rep. Steven Howitt, R-Seekonk, had $104,000 in his campaign account compared to $34,000 for Jacques.
Howitt said Jacques receives a lot of money from other unions as well as firefighters.
Jacques, he said, has received few donations from individuals within the district who are unaffiliated with unions.
“It shows you who he is aligned with,” Howitt said.
Of Howitt’s $104,000, most was left over from previous years. This year he has collected 111 donations worth $29,000. They have come from individuals, business people, and lobbyists such as Bill Ryan, who represents Plainridge Park Casino.
Jacques said that as a public employee he cannot personally solicit donations, making fundraising all the more difficult. Volunteers from his campaign handled all the finances, he said.
There have been some awkward moments involving money along the campaign trail in the district that includes Seekonk, Rehoboth and part of Norton, he said.
There have been times when someone has tried to give him a check and he has had to decline.
“It happens all the time,” he said.
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THE SUN CHRONICLE
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