Ascencao spent more than $30,000 on campaign and election

Candidate hired consultants from Maine and bought coffee for volunteers throughout the region

By Scott Pickering
Posted 12/6/18

Laufton Ascencao spent more than $30,000 to campaign for and win the District 68 House of Representatives seat representing parts of Bristol and Warren, according to the latest campaign finance …

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Ascencao spent more than $30,000 on campaign and election

Candidate hired consultants from Maine and bought coffee for volunteers throughout the region

Posted

Laufton Ascencao spent more than $30,000 to campaign for and win the District 68 House of Representatives seat representing parts of Bristol and Warren, according to the latest campaign finance report he filed earlier this week.

Beginning in early July, Mr. Ascencao spent campaign money on a handful of political consultants, including two from his old stomping grounds in Maine, where he lived and went to high school; on coffee, food and alcohol throughout Bristol and Warren, as well as Providence; on office equipment and supplies at places like CVS and Amazon; on a cell phone plan with T-Mobile; and on advertising, primarily for signs and mailings.

The consultants, most of whom were paid in July and August, include Robert Hickey of Orono, Maine. According to his Facebook profile, Mr. Hickey graduated from the University of Maine in 2016 and has worked at Best Buy, the Geek Squad, and as a social studies teacher at Lee Academy — the same school Mr. Ascencao graduated from. The two were presumably classmates at Lee Academy about seven years ago. They both lived in the tiny town of Springfield, Maine, while growing up. Mr. Hickey was paid $3,900 for his services.

Thomas Millett-Whitney, of Bangor, Maine, was paid $1,350 in July.

Aaron Hale-Dorrell of Bristol was paid $5,023.52 in July, August and September to be Mr. Ascencao’s campaign manager.

Judith Finn, of Jamaica Plain, Mass., was paid $521.84 for work back in August. Originally from Rhode Island, she lists graphic design work for political candidates on her professional profile. She is also listed as the creative director for the Young Democrats of Rhode Island.

Mr. Ascencao reported 75 transactions for food, beverage and meals during the campaign. They range from as little as $2.21 at Dunkin Donuts, to $200 at Stop and Shop. They include coffee and refreshments for volunteers at places like the Beehive Cafe, Angelina’s, Cumberland Farms and Papa Joe’s Wrap Shack in Bristol, and Silver Star Bakery and Madeira Liquors in Providence (a business owned by family members).

He spent more than $2,400 on office equipment and supplies at places like Staples, CVS and Amazon. He spent more than $700 on T-Mobile cell phone bills. He spent $870 for rent to Packet Logix in Warren.

Mr. Ascencao made donations totaling more than $750 to East Bay nonprofits, such as the Bristol Harbor Festival, Hope & Main, and the Warren Land Trust.

He also spent $2 on a one-day subscription to the EastBayRI.com website, as well as $3.50 on a one-month subscription to this website.

In all, he recorded more than 170 transactions during the campaign. A complete record of all of Mr. Ascencao’s expenditures is below:

Advertising

  • 7/1/18:  $935.00, Sign Rocket, St. Paul Park, MN 55071
  • 7/23/18:  $1,786.00, Regine Printing, Providence, RI 02909
  • 7/26/18:  $857.44, Cambridge Offset Printing, Fall River, MA 02723
  • 7/26/18:  $11.97, USPS, Providence, RI 02903
  • 7/31/18:  $306.01
  • 8/15/18:  $204.02
  • 8/17/18:  $1,836.89, Regine Printing, Providence, RI 02909
  • 8/31/18:  $77.08, Facebook, Menlo Park, CA 94025
  • 9/7/18:  $1,836.84, Regine Printing, Providence, RI 02909
  • 9/7/18:  $16.00, Squarespace, New York City, NY 10014
  • 10/9/18:  $251.20, USPS, Providence, RI 02903
  • 10/10/18:  $16.00, Squarespace, New York City, NY 10014
  • 10/20/18:  $2,026.76, USPS, Providence, RI 02903
  • 11/2/18:  $2.00, East Bay Newspapers, Bristol, RI 02809
  • Advertising Total: $10,163.21

 

Bank Fees

  • 7/31/18:  $12.00, Coastway Bank, East Providence, RI
  • 8/14/18:  $398.65, ,
  • 8/14/18:  $398.65, Actblue,
  • 8/31/18:  $12.00, Coastway Bank, East Providence, RI
  • 9/15/18:  $2.50, Coastway Bank, East Providence, RI
  • 9/18/18:  $2.50, Coastway Bank, East Providence, RI
  • 9/30/18:  $12.00, Coastway Bank, East Providence, RI
  • 10/4/18:  $95.58, Actblue,
  • 11/13/18:  $33.75, Harbor One Bank, East Providence, RI 02915
  • Bank Fees Total:  $967.63

 

Consultant & Professional Services

  • 6/18/18:  $412.00, Robert Hickey, Orono, ME
  • 7/1/18:  $2,088.00, Robert Hickey, Orono, ME
  • 7/15/18:  $1,400.00, Robert Hickey, Orono, ME
  • 7/17/18:  $1,250.00, Aaron Hale-Dorrell, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 7/19/18:  $1,350.00, Thomas Millett-Whitney, Bangor, ME 04401
  • 7/25/18:  $300.00, Judith Finn, Jamacia Plain, MA 02130
  • 8/3/18:  $1,273.52, Aaron Hale-Dorrell, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 8/16/18:  $1,250.00, Aaron Hale-Dorrell, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 8/21/18:  $77.48, Judith Finn, Jamacia Plain, MA 02130
  • 8/22/18:  $144.36, Judith Finn, Jamacia Plain, MA 02130
  • 9/7/18:  $1,250.00, Aaron Hale-Dorrell, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/8/18:  $103.20, Judith Finn, Jamacia Plain, MA 02130
  • Consultant & Professional Services Total:  $10,898.56

 

Donations (All Others)

  • 8/13/18:  $114.00, EB Cap, Tiverton, RI 02878
  • 8/20/18:  $50.00, Hope and Main, Warren, RI 02885
  • 8/22/18:  $25.00, Renew Energy Initiave, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/4/18:  $100.00, Bristol Harbor Fest, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/9/18:  $75.00, Warren Heritage Foundation, Warren, RI 02885
  • 9/10/18:  $111.00, EB Cap, Tiverton, RI 02878
  • 10/12/18:  $50.00, Clean Water Action, Providence, RI 02909
  • 10/20/18:  $87.00, EB Cap, Tiverton, RI 02878
  • 11/3/18:  $30.00, BWEF, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 11/13/18:  $96.00, EB Cap, Tiverton, RI 02878
  • 11/14/18:  $15.00, Warren Land Trust, Warren, RI 02885
  • Donations (All Others) Total, $753.00

 

Food, Beverages and Meals

  • 6/28/18:  $200.00, Stop and Shop, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 7/15/18:  $58.84, Federal Hill Pizza, Warren, RI 02885
  • 7/15/18:  $38.00, Bristol XPress, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 7/16/18:  $32.09, 1776 Liquor, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 7/19/18:  $150.98, Madeira Liquor, Providence, RI 02906
  • 7/21/18:  $40.19, Stop and Shop, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 7/23/18:  $44.98, Madeira Liquor, Providence, RI 02906
  • 7/24/18:  $36.36, Stop and Shop, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 7/24/18:  $24.00, Silver Star Bakery, Providence, RI 02906
  • 7/27/18:  $24.00, Silver Star Bakery, Providence, RI 02906
  • 7/27/18:  $20.95, Tom's Market, Warren, RI 02885
  • 7/29/18:  $30.00, Bristol XPress, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 8/4/18:  $29.12, Stop and Shop, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 8/7/18:  $31.06, Bristol XPress, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 8/10/18:  $15.58, Tom's Market, Warren, RI 02885
  • 8/11/18:  $36.00, Silver Star Bakery, Providence, RI 02906
  • 8/11/18:  $30.47, Stop and Shop, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 8/11/18:  $12.74, Tom's Market, Warren, RI 02885
  • 8/13/18:  $30.00, Cumberland Farms, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 8/18/18:  $25.25, Silver Star Bakery, Providence, RI 02906
  • 8/18/18:  $5.99, Midland Farms, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 8/20/18:  $45.90, Tom's Market, Warren, RI 02885
  • 8/20/18:  $27.49, Resteurant Cafe, Warren, RI 02885
  • 8/21/18:  $43.01, Bristol XPress, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 8/22/18:  $30.77, Stop and Shop, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 8/26/18:  $31.09, 1776 Liquor, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 8/28/18:  $37.13, Cumberland Farms, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 8/30/18:  $4.62, Dunkin Donuts, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 8/31/18:  $25.00, Bristol XPress, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/5/18:  $128.01, Tom's Market, Warren, RI 02885
  • 9/12/18:  $78.69, Stop and Shop, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/12/18:  $21.52, Sip and Dip, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/12/18:  $12.15, Dunkin Donuts, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/16/18:  $35.59, Judge Roy Bean, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/16/18:  $33.16, Judge Roy Bean, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/20/18:  $32.53, Stop and Shop, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/23/18:  $22.42, Papa Joes Wrap Shack, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/23/18:  $2.21, Dunkin Donuts, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/24/18:  $16.81, Cumberland Farms, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/24/18:  $14.85, Nacho Mammas, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/25/18:  $12.60, Stop and Shop, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/25/18:  $8.75, Angelina’s, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/27/18:  $2.21, Dunkin Donuts, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/30/18:  $10.00, Cumberland Farms, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/30/18:  $5.21, Stop and Shop, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 10/1/18:  $10.00, Cumberland Farms, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 10/2/18:  $4.09, Tealuxe, Providence, RI 02906
  • 10/3/18:  $24.00, Silver Star Bakery, Providence, RI 02906
  • 10/3/18:  $11.00, Bristol XPress, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 10/4/18:  $68.33, Tom's Market, Warren, RI 02885
  • 10/4/18:  $13.69, Midland Farms, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 10/9/18:  $37.89, Silver Star Bakery, Providence, RI 02906
  • 10/9/18:  $22.52, Cumberland Farms, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 10/9/18:  $11.06, Bristol XPress, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 10/9/18:  $3.53, Coffee Depot, Warren, RI 02885
  • 10/9/18:  $2.87, Cafe Water St, Warren, RI 02885
  • 10/10/18:  $11.05, Malachis, Providence, RI 02906
  • 10/11/18:  $3.70, Angelina’s, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 10/12/18:  $19.68, Tom's Market, Warren, RI 02885
  • 10/25/18:  $20.86, Beehive, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 10/29/18:  $25.42, Papa Joes Wrap Shack, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 10/29/18:  $3.70, Angelina’s, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 11/1/18:  $35.76, Stop and Shop, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 11/3/18:  $11.64, Dunkin Donuts, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 11/3/18:  $7.48, Tom's Market, Warren, RI 02885
  • 11/6/18:  $30.00, Bristol XPress, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 11/8/18:  $8.55, Tom's Market, Warren, RI 02885
  • 11/9/18:  $8.40, Angelina’s, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 11/13/18:  $23.58, Stop and Shop, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 11/13/18:  $7.55, Tom's Market, Warren, RI 02885
  • 11/13/18:  $3.70, Wildflour, Pawtucket, RI 02860
  • 11/14/18:  $31.96, Madeira Liquor, Providence, RI 02906
  • 11/14/18:  $13.85, Malachis, Providence, RI 02906
  • 11/15/18:  $45.16, Stop and Shop, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 11/17/18:  $3.70, Angelina’s, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 12/3/18:  $8.78, Dunkin Donuts, Washington, DC 20001
  • Food, Beverages and Meals Total:  $2,131.82

 

Gifts

  • 11/20/18:  $20.28, Harbor Bath & Body, Bristol, RI 02809
  • Gifts Total:  $20.28

 

Office Equipment & Supplies

  • 6/11/18:  $1,250.00, USPS, Providence, RI 02903
  • 6/18/18:  $45.97, Staples, Providence, RI 02906
  • 6/21/18:  $116.89, TMobile,
  • 7/12/18:  $158.75, Staples, Providence, RI 02906
  • 7/12/18:  $33.17, Staples, Providence, RI 02906
  • 7/24/18:  $154.19, Staples, Providence, RI 02906
  • 7/27/18:  $38.04, Staples, Providence, RI 02906
  • 8/14/18:  $128.78, Staples, Providence, RI 02906
  • 8/23/18:  $74.96, Staples, Providence, RI 02906
  • 8/28/18:  $5.99, Midland Farms, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 8/30/18:  $19.93, CVS, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/15/18:  $63.50, USPS, Providence, RI 02903
  • 9/18/18:  $23.50, USPS, Providence, RI 02903
  • 9/18/18:  $16.39, Tom's Market, Warren, RI 02885
  • 9/19/18:  $20.00, USPS, Providence, RI 02903
  • 9/20/18:  $13.76, CVS, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 9/28/18:  $20.00, USPS, Providence, RI 02903
  • 10/1/18:  $20.00, USPS, Providence, RI 02903
  • 10/2/18:  $17.74, Tom's Market, Warren, RI 02885
  • 10/3/18:  $5.99, Midland Farms, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 10/5/18:  $35.68, Walgreens, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 10/10/18:  $11.00, Bristol XPress, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 10/11/18:  $15.65, Cumberland Farms, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 10/11/18:  $1.69, Staples, Providence, RI 02906
  • 10/15/18:  $48.45, Amazon, Seattle, WA 98018
  • 10/26/18:  $4.00, Midland Farms, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 11/5/18:  $64.19, Amazon, Seattle, WA 98018
  • Office Equipment & Supplies Total:  $2,408.21

 

Other

  • 6/8/18:  $857.44, Cambridge Offset Printing, Fall River, MA 02723
  • 10/25/18:  $6.23, Apple, Cupertino, CA 95014
  • 11/5/18:  $5.34, Apple, Cupertino, CA 95014
  • 11/13/18:  $0.99, Apple, Cupertino, CA 95014
  • 11/16/18:  $3.50, East Bay Newspapers, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 11/20/18:  $27.12, Squarespace, New York City, NY 10014
  • 11/21/18:  $5.50, East Bay Newspapers, Bristol, RI 02809
  • 12/3/18:  $128.84, ,
  • Other Total:  $1,034.96

 

Refunds/Reimbursements

  • 9/7/18:  $72.51, Aaron Hale-Dorrell, Bristol, RI 02809
  • Refunds/Reimbursements Total:  $72.51

 

Rent & Utilities

  • 6/8/18:  $600.00, Packet Logix, Warren, RI 02885
  • /8/18:  $270.00, Packet Logix, Warren, RI 02885
  • Rent & Utilities Total:  $870.00

 

Telephone

  • 7/16/18:  $115.01, TMobile
  • 8/6/18:  $115.01, TMobile
  • 8/8/18:  $166.76, TMobile
  • 9/9/18:  $103.20, TMobile
  • 10/29/18:  $86.15, TMobile
  • 11/2/18:  $120.00, TMobile
  • Telephone Total:  $706.13

 

Travel & Lodging

  • 10/4/18:  $2.50, City of Providence, Providence, RI 02903
  • 11/23/18:  $2.50, City of Providence, Providence, RI 02903
  • 12/3/18:  $25.00, WMATA, Washington, DC 20001
  • Travel & Lodging Total:  $30.00

 

Grand Total:  $30,056.31

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