MARK PAZNIOKAS, Courant Staff Writer 7/08/05

Trying to stand out in a crouded field, state Rep. Andrew Fleischmann, D-West Hartford, became the first Democratic candidate for secretary of the state to raise more than $100,000 without resorting to borrowing in his first three months as a candidate.

Fleischmann filed his first quarterly report Thursday, showing that he raised $102,623 in the three-month period ending June 30th.

Robert A.Landino of Chester and Audrey Blondin of Litchfield are the other candidates to raise more than $100,000 but they have heavily subsidized their own campaigns.

Landino's campaign reported raising $63,150 in the past three months. He has $177,939 cash on hand, but that includes $75,000 in loans from himself.

Blondin's campaign reported raising $15,795 in the past quarter, but $10,000 was from herself. SHe has $131,861 cash on hand, but she owes herself $112,000 in loans.

Two other candidates, John Nussbaum and Norma Rodriguez-Reyes, both of New Haven, trail in the eaerly fundraising. Nussbaum's latest report shows he has $19,705 cash on hand and is $40,000 in debt.Rodreguez-Reyes' report was unavailable.

State Rep. Evelyn Mantilla, D-Hartford, is expected to declare her candidacy this summer. She raised $32,000 through an exploratory committee in the first three months of 2005. A report for the second quarter was unavailable Thursday.

The six Democrats are vying to succeed Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz in teh 2006 election. Bysiewicz is running for governor.

©The Hartford Courant 2005