How Much is George Devanney Really Spending on This Campaign?
While we don’t yet have a full breakdown of Board of Education candidate George Devanney’s campaign finances, what we do know is enough to raise concerns.
First, let’s examine his current list of donors. Nearly half of them come from outside Berkeley Heights, including contributions from prominent political figures:
- EFO Carter for Assembly (Linden, NJ): $2,500
- Election Fund of J. Christian Bollwage (Elizabeth, NJ): $250
- Scutari for Senate (Clark, NJ): $2,000
This could just be the beginning, and more names and funds may surface as the campaign continues-it’s still very early with regard to reporting.
Estimated Campaign Spending So Far
Based on publicly visible expenses and conservative estimates, here’s a breakdown of what Devanney’s campaign may have spent so far:
- Mailing Costs: With around 13,000 registered voters, it seems like the whole town received campaign mailers. For 1,000 mailers costing roughly $600, a full town-wide mailing could reach an estimated $13,000.
- Printing Costs: Campaign mailers on this scale suggest a sizable budget. A conservative estimate for printing is $5,000.
- Lawn Signs: Typically, lawn signs are used sparingly in smaller BOE campaigns, yet we’re seeing multiples per property in some cases. Estimated cost: $3,000.
- TapInto Ads: Frequent ads on this for-profit media platform suggest a potential ad spend of $3,000.
- Facebook Ads: The campaign’s frequent, visually polished ads (featuring endorsements from political allies) likely add another $7,000.
In total, these estimates put Devanney’s campaign spending at over $30,000.
Why This Matters
No previous Berkeley Heights BOE campaign has approached this level of spending. This raises valid questions about how political machines are using their resources and the perception it creates in a town known for its strong independent streak.
Money can undoubtedly influence elections, but as a community, we should consider whether this direction aligns with the values of our town. Mr. Devanney is welcome to respond with a full accounting of his campaign finances—transparency that would benefit us all.