FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2010

Contact: Chris Blazejewski |  401-484-8814  

Small Donors & New Media Effort Boost Impressive 1st Quarter Fundraising for Angel Taveras Mayoral Campaign

Taveras raises $115,000 in just first 5 weeks of campaign.

PROVIDENCE -Democratic Mayoral candidate Angel Taveras announced today that his campaign has exceeded its original goal and has raised approximately $115,000 in the 5 weeks since filing his candidacy.

The $115,000 raised by Taveras in just 36 days shows his fundraising strength in various areas.  The campaign has received contributions from over 200 small donors, including many who had never previously contributed to a political campaign.  The campaign has also successfully utilized new media and has averaged over 25 new online donations per week.  Last, the majority of Taveras’ donors are Providence residents, even though the campaign has refused to accept contributions from city employees and city vendors.

In addition, this effort came from a complete standstill.  Taveras last ran for office in 2000, returned completely to private life afterward and did not file his declaration of candidacy until February 23, 2010.

 

The actual figures break down as follows:

• Small Donor Strength: 210 donors gave $50 or less.
• Online & Netroots Strength: 135 donors gave via the www.AngelForProvidence.com website.
• Ethics: Contributions from city employees and city vendors are not accepted and, if given, they are identified and returned.

"Over the last 35 days, I’ve been both humbled and honored by the hundreds of people who have contributed to our Angel for Providence campaign," Taveras said.  "I made a commitment from the start that our people-powered campaign would be fueled by the hard-work and humble contributions of the people and not the special interests that have damaged our city's reputation."

"This is just the beginning," Taveras continued.  "Through the large and small contributions of so many city residents, we are going to be opening headquarters, hiring staff and building a grassroots operation to empower everyone to join our campaign.  While other candidates will likely have more money than us, I will build off of my strong donor base, continue to attract diverse supporters, and build the largest grassroots organization this great city has ever seen.  That is our path to victory in the Democratic Primary on September 14th."

Every day, I am reminded of that famous quote by Margaret Mead," Taveras added.  "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

"And it’s the citizens of Providence who have joined me on this journey and I know that, together, we will win," Taveras concluded.

In just six weeks after announcing his campaign for Mayor, Angel Taveras has built a diverse and wide-ranging coalition of supporters including current campaign chairman and former gubernatorial candidate and State Senator Myrth York along with State Senator Juan Pichardo, City Councilman Kevin Jackson, City Councilman Cliff Wood, City Councilman Leon Tejada, Meeting St. CEO John Kelly, Drinking Liberally founder Chris Blazejewski, attorney Casby Harrison, former US Attorney Meg Curran, RI Young Democrats president Meghan Grady, attorney Kas DeCarvalho, youth jobs leader Andrew Cortes, State Representative Edith Ajello, activist Tomas Avila, Ward 9 Democratic chairman Russell Conway, veteran political leader Victor Capellan and State Senator Rhoda Perry.

For more information visit http://www.angelforprovidence.com.