LEMBRICH OUTSPENT PRIMARY OPPONENTS 5 TO 1; PROFETA, DELUCA LED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

Township Committee Candidate Greg Lembrich has outspent his Democratic primary opponents by more than five to one, according to the latest campaign disclosure reports, which also showed Mayor Vic Deluca and former Mayor Fred Profeta are among the largest donors in the race.

So far, Lembrich has raised more than $27,000 in his campaign while fellow Democratic primary candidates Jerry Ryan and Nancy Adams have brought in less than $5,000 in combined contributions for their joint campaign, according to the latest campaign disclosure reports filed last week.

The latest disclosure reports indicate Lembrich has so far raised $27,188.24 and spent $26,815.88. We revealed last month that $10,000 of that was a loan to himself.

Ryan and Adams, combined, have raised just under $5,000, with $1,000 coming from the Maplewood Democratic Committee. Since each of their committees have not raised more than $4,500, they are not required to list detailed disclosure and spending reports. Ryan had previously loaned his campaign $1,000.

Profeta, who openly supported Lembrich and campaigned on his behalf with a letter to voters as well as numerous joint appearances, donated $3,696 in in-kind contributions described as "printing, envelopes, mailing costs and postage," presumably for his endorsement letter, the report stated.

Deluca, who sent a letter to voters on Ryan and Adams' behalf, was listed as donating $500 each to Ryan's solo campaign committee and the joint Ryan/Adams campaign.
Lembrich and Adams won the primary battle last month, beating incumbent Ryan, and will face Republican nominee Phyllis Scalera in the general election for the two open seats on the TC.

Scalera filed a disclosure form in May indicating she did not plan to raise or spend more than $4,500, which means she does not have to disclose specific contributions or expenditures.