Fundraising Paints Picture Of Two Campaigns

With last week's primary behind them, the two candidates for state representative for the 8th Essex District, Re are gearing up for Nov. 2.

Ehrlich, the incumbent and a Democrat from Marblehead, was unchallenged in her primary, but said she was pleased with the results that showed the strength of her support.

"There's a very clear path I've charted that I hope will lead to victory," Ehrlich said. "I've been door-knocking every day and having discussions about what's important in all three communities."

Her Republican challenger, Kozitza, a Swampscott psychiatrist who practices in Lynn, is a political newcomer. She said she's been out doing a lot of door-to-door canvassing in the three communities, including Lynn, that make up the district.

Last Tuesday's primary produced some "amazing results," Kozitza said, including the success of a Republican write-in candidate for attorney general.

"People want to vote out life-long insiders like [Attorney General] Martha Coakley," Kozitza said. "In the representative race, we saw numbers that reflected our message is gaining traction."

In Marblehead, where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans, Ehrlich polled more votes than Kozitza in their separate, non-competitive primaries, Ehrlich receiving 1,284 votes and Kozitza gaining 1,039 votes.

Ehrlich also has more cash in her campaign fund, according to the two campaigns' state campaign finance disclosure filings.

Since January, Ehrlich has spent $9,069 on things like postage, Website hosting, and wood for lawn signs. She raised $19,000 this year and has $32,000 in cash.

Kozitza has raised $16,732, including two contributions she made to herself for a total of $11, 377. In the same period, she has spent $14,000, including expenditures for the hiring of a campaign communications consultant, Marblehead attorney Lena Robinson.

Kozitza points out that many of Ehrlich's campaign contributors are union PACs.

This period, Ehrlich received maximum annual donations of $500 from unions including the Service Employees International Union, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

"I'm not beholden to anyone," Kozitza said. "My opponent's got thousands of dollars from union PACs."

Ehrlich said she is "proud" of her contributors.

"I'm not owned by anyone," Ehrlich said. "I'm proud of all my supporters."

Among Kozitza's contributors is Bill Hudak of Boxford, who donated $250 to the campaign.

Hudak, running for Congress in the 6th Massachusetts District, defeated primary opponent Rob McCarthy on Tuesday to win the nomination to face Congressman John Tierney D-Salem on Nov. 2.

"He did very well in our district," Kozitza said of Hudak.

She said the average voter in the district is tired of Beacon Hill and the Democrats who control the State House. 

Ehrlich said she is "energizing my supporters for another impressive showing on Nov. 2."