Fighting the Lawless in R.I.

Brown University professor Jennifer Lawless faces a decidedly uphill battle in her Democratic primary challenge of Rep. James Langevin (R.I.) — but her latest campaign report might turn a few heads.

Lawless brought in more than $114,000 in the three-month period ending June 30 — quite a haul for a first-time candidate facing a popular incumbent.

Langevin still outraised her, but not by much. He took in almost $161,000 for the quarter.

Langevin began July with about $364,000 in the bank, compared to Lawless’ $161,000, in the race for the Ocean State’s 2nd district seat. The winner of the Sept. 12 Democratic primary is heavily favored in November.

Lawless’ campaign attributes the surge — she raised only $264,000 since entering the race 13 months ago — to her new campaign team and her message. One person who has been key to her ability to double her fundraising in one quarter is Robert Pilon, her national finance consultant.

Pilon previously served as state finance director for the failed Senate campaign of Rhode Island Secretary of State Matt Brown (D).

Brown pulled out of the race in April, when his campaign flagged amid a campaign finance scandal.

It appeared as if Brown attempted to circumvent campaign finance laws. Three state Democratic parties contributed to Brown’s campaign, while donors who had given the maximum amount allowed to Brown in turn contributed to those state parties.

Brown and another campaign staffer took the blame for the lapse in judgment. No one ever fingered Pilon as being behind the scheme.

Lawless campaign manager Adam Deitch said Pilon had nothing to do with Brown’s woes and that he sought Pilon after Brown bowed out of the race.

“My impression is that Bob Pilon had absolutely nothing to do with that issue,” Deitch said.

“After Matt Brown campaign’s ended we aggressively recruited Bob to join our team, Deitch said. “He has extensive experience.”

Pilon has done fundraising for nonprofits. He served as a senior development officer at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation in Washington, D.C., where he was “instrumental” in launching AIDS Walk Africa, Deitch said.

Pilon was credited with an innovative Brown fundraiser during which the campaign screened the movie “A Closer Walk,” which was about the AIDS epidemic.

“The team reflects the energy, enthusiasm and professionalism of this campaign,” Deitch said. “Jen is very serious about winning this race. The campaign has been more successful than ever at putting the pieces together ... the infrastructure is now in place.”

Langevin’s campaign questioned the hiring of Pilon but said ultimately the three-term Congressman is not concerned.

“It is somewhat curious that Lawless chose to hire someone implicated in the questionable fundraising techniques of the failed Brown Senate campaign, especially after her own fundraising mistakes,” said Joy Fox, Langevin’s campaign spokeswoman.

Fox was referring to a flap over several of Lawless’ students donating to her campaign. The student newspaper questioned the propriety of the contributions and the university forced her to return the money.

Besides Pilon, the defunct Brown campaign and Lawless effort also share more than a dozen donors. Though Brown’s most recent Federal Election Commission report was not yet available, an examination of his April filing with Lawless’ most recent shows that Pilon is tapping many of the national donors who contributed to Brown’s effort.

For example, Paul Goldenberg, the owner of a La Habra, Calif., electronics store who has contributed more than $75,000 to Democratic candidates and committees this cycle alone, shows up on both Brown’s and Lawless’ FEC reports. He contributed $1,000 to each as well as $1,000 to former Rhode Island Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse, Brown’s former rival for the Democratic Senate nod.

Deitch and people formerly associated with the Brown campaign deny there’s any connection.

“There’s been absolutely no interaction between our campaign and Matt Brown,” Deitch said.

Then there’s Patricia Kenner of New York who gave only $250 to Brown but $1,000 to Lawless. Kenner said her support of Lawless had nothing to do with Brown.

Abortion rights are a big issue for her — Langevin, who is a quadriplegic, is an opponent, while Lawless is a supporter.

Kenner, who hosted a fundraising breakfast for Lawless, said: “We need someone to stand up for Democratic principles and to vote with Democrats.”

Langevin’s party unity score, as computed by Congressional Quarterly, has not been below 90 percent since he came to Congress.

The other overlapping donors probably were motivated by the same factors, Deitch said.

“I think Jen has been able to more than double her fundraising for a couple of reasons,” he said. “A lot of national donors like Jen’s entire message, with a little bit of emphasis on choice.

“But Jen is absolutely not running a single- issue campaign,” he added. “It is one of many policy differences.”

Lawless had received the backing of Planned Parenthood, the Women’s Campaign Fund, the National Organization of Women and several other women’s groups.

Deitch hopes that Lawless’ stellar quarter will earn her an endorsement that can lead to even more campaign donations, from EMILY’s List.

This article, written by Nicole Duran, appeared in Roll Call on July 19, 2006.