Cindy Cartier, Selectman in Guilford and State Senate Candidate for the 12th District – Branford, Durham, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison & North Branford, has been awarded a State Grant for the Citizens Election Program of the State of Connecticut in the amount of $91,290.

?We were among the first Senate Campaign Committees to qualify for and be awarded a Citizen?s Election Program grant for the 2012 campaign cycle,? said Ray Bower, treasurer of Cartier?s campaign. ?Folks are so supportive of Cindy and have just opened their pocketbooks. In fact, we had to turn some folks away as we were limited to the amount we could collect to qualify.?

The program works as follows for a State Representative Candidate as passed by the State Legislature a few years back - the candidate must raise $15,000 in increments of $5 to $100 from individual contributors. No contributor can be a business, lobbyist, family member of a lobbyist, or do contractual work for the state. The candidate must also have 300 contributors from within the district, i.e., Branford and Guilford. Once the candidate qualifies the State provides a grant for $91,290.

?The support for our campaign has been overwhelming,? said Campaign Chairman Ken Wilson. ?We are told that we were able to raise the money in record time. In fact, we only just started raising money in late February and had all contributions by May. This is a testament to not only Cindy but also the great team we have put together coupled with the support from the community for our efforts. We are working hard to raise the issues and move forward with a positive campaign. The financial support is evidence of this.?

Cartier had over 300 folks from all towns in the district contribute directly to her campaign. Only a few contributors were from other towns, mostly family members and friends. Cartier?s opponent, Senator Meyer, has opted to participate in this program, but has not yet qualified for funds.

?The fact that we have a well organized campaign and have raised all our money says volumes about my commitment to this race and the office to which I seek to serve,? said Cartier. ?I am approaching this campaign as I do all my professional endeavors – with passion, discipline and focus to get the job done. I have been meeting folks and knocking on doors for some time now and the response has been overwhelmingly supportive – folks want someone who will truly represent their interests in the 12th District and put them first. They have said repeatedly that they want someone who is in touch with the concerns and needs of this community. I am ready to serve.?

For those interested in getting involved with the campaign, please contact Campaign Chairman Ken Wilson at (203) 453-5315 or kewjr@snet.net.