By Chris Cassidy
SALEM — State Rep. John Keenan has stockpiled a small political fortune of $90,000 in his first five years in office, placing him among the best-financed politicians in the House of Representatives.
Keenan raised $52,534 in 2009, according to end-of-the-year campaign finance reports.
That's on par with what his campaign has accumulated in past years. But Keenan hasn't faced a challenger since he was first elected in 2004, so he's been able to keep expenses down.
The result?
The third-term Salem representative's political bank account has been infused with cash. His balance has soared from $22,144 at the end of his first year on the job to $90,587 as of Dec. 31, 2009.
"I work pretty hard at it," Keenan said. "It doesn't just happen. It's a necessary part of the job."
Keenan now has more campaign money than all other state representatives on the North Shore combined, and he ranks among the top 20 in the 160-member House of Representatives both for campaign contributions in 2009 and for total campaign balance.
That raises the obvious question — what's all the money for?
Keenan wouldn't say whether he has his eye cast toward a higher political calling (he's been rumored as a potential candidate for state senator someday). Of course, he also didn't say anything that would take him out of the running, either.
"I think you always need to be prepared in case something comes up," Keenan said. "I'm not of the ability, personally, to finance a future campaign. My wife makes that crystal-clear almost every day. So certainly, if an opportunity arises, I want to be in a position where I'm able to do that without having to rely on resources that, quite frankly, I don't have."
Keenan, who began his sixth year as state representative last month, said that when he first ran, his plan was to remain a rep for 10 years, then "figure out something else."
"When that time comes, we'll see if anything's open," he said.
His donors are composed of attorneys, business owners and executives. But he's also received thousands from political action committees, out-of-district donors and hospitality industry leaders.
Keenan, the chairman of the joint committee on tourism, arts and cultural development, has benefited from donations from Freedom Trail Director Mary Lacamera ($250), Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Patrick Moscaritolo ($500), Citi Performing Arts Center President Josiah Spaulding ($150) and Bull & Finch Pub (now Cheers) founder Tom Kershaw ($500).
"I'm chairman of the tourism committee, so I don't think it'd be surprising that folks in tourism would be supportive of my committee," Keenan said. "It's not to suggest I'm doing anything inappropriate, but certainly I've been a strong advocate of enhancing tourism throughout the state."
Money also came in from political action committees, such as the motorcycle group American Bikers Acting to Educate ($225), the Chiropractic PAC of Massachusetts ($200), the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union ($500) and the American Federation of Teachers ($500).
"I think at the end of the day, I'm very transparent," Keenan said. "I list all the donations I receive, which is what the law requires me to do. Nobody, whether it's a PAC or an individual, buys a vote for any particular bill. That's beyond the question."
Keenan estimates he held about six fundraisers last year. The largest is his annual St. Patrick's Day breakfast at Finz, where he takes in about $20,000, but his expenses are about $7,000 to $8,000, he said.
Although the campaign contributions seem large, Keenan admits he actually fell short of his own aspirations.
"My goal over the last five years was to have $100,000 in the bank," he said. "It was a little below the goal. But given the economy, I appreciate how supportive everyone's been."
Staff writer Chris Cassidy can be reached at ccassidy@salem news.com.
KEENAN'S CAMPAIGN BALANCES
For end-of-year:
2004$1,746
2005$22,144
2006$34,387
2007$52,808
2008$73,397
2009$90,586
NORTH SHORE campaign funding
'09 money NameRaisedBalance*
John Keenan$52,534$90,587
Joyce Spiliotis$6,050$30,857
Lori Ehrlich$4,490$21,639
Brad Hill$24,930$17,211
Mary Grant$0$8,859
Ted Speliotis$13,398$8,710
* As of Dec. 31, 2009
