Thousands of people donated to the Democrats running for New Jersey’s 7th congressional district last quarter – and one of them was one of their primary opponents.
Brian Varela, a businessman and one of the eight Democrats running for the swing district, gave each of his opponents a $250 donation last quarter. Varela said that the donations reflected his “commitment to running a positive campaign” and his desire to stay united with his fellow Democrats in the goal of defeating Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) next year.
“I believe I’ll be the Democratic nominee next year, but if not, I’ll be 100% behind whoever is,” Varela said. “This is about unity, and I’m putting my money where my mouth is.”
FEC reports show that six of the Democrats running for the district received a donation from Varela at the end of last month. A seventh candidate, Vale Mendoza, is late in filing her 3rd quarter reports; Varela said he gave her $250, too, but she refunded it.
However much Varela might be willing to invest in his opponents’ campaigns, though, he’s certainly investing more in himself; Varela has given his own campaign $600,000 since April, helping to make him the second-best-funded Democrat in the race.
