Candidates Garner Harvard Donations

When Harvard voters head to the polls today the front-runner in the Democratic gubernatorial race will be able to count on much of the community for support.

A former Harvard football player and a Harvard Law School graduate, Attorney General L. Scott Harshbarger '64 has amassed close to $16,500 in campaign contributions from over 65 University administrators, attorneys and professors, according to records filed with the state's office of campaign and political finance.

The same records show Acting Governor A. Paul Cellucci, the Republican front-runner, has only $750 of donations with Harvard connections in a campaign was chest of more than $3 million.

Because donors can choose not to name their employer when making a political donation, the committee's record of Harvard University employees donating to campaigns is not complete.

But with only one contributor listed among the faculty ranks--Martin A. Linsky, a public policy lecturer at the Kennedy School of Government--Cellucci evidently has had difficulty raising funds on a campus that showed strong support for his predecessor William F. Weld'66.

When Weld was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 1996, some of his more notable benefactors included Baker Professor of Economics Martin S. Feldstein '61 and University Marshal Richard M. Hunt. This year, Hunt donated $500 to Harshbarger's campaign.

"Paul Cellucci is no William Weld," Hunt said. "They're two different people. I would have had some questions about Paul Cellucci that I wouldn't have for William Weld."

Houghton Professor of Theology and Contemporary Change Preston N. Williams agreed with Hunt, calling Cellucci "a political hack and opportunist."

"What you respect about Weld is his intelligence," Williams said. "He has a great wit, even if you don't agree with him. With Cellucci, I have the hard time recognizing the core."

And while it is nearly impossible to ignore Harshbarger's many connections to Harvard and Cambridge--his step-daughter graduated from the College last year--several professors throughout the University said they donated to Harshbarger's campaign because of their professional admiration of the former Middle-sex County district attorney, not their personal connections.

"My support of Scott is not because he went to Harvard," said Williston Professor of Law Robert H. Mnookin '64, who was a classmate of Harshbarger's both at the College and the Law School. "My support of Scott is because I know him personally and I admire the work he has done as attorney general."

Williams, who first met the Democratic candidate in 1956 when Harshbarger's father hired him to be an assistant chaplain at Penn State University, said Harshbarger particularly appeals to the University's academics.

"He has an enlightened conception of the law that appeals to a number of people," Williams said, explaining that, as attorney general, Harshbarger opposed the death penalty and took an interest in consumer issues.

Williams, whose relationship with Harshbarger continued when he came to Harvard in 1961 while Harshbarger was an undergraduate, donated $1,000 to his campaign.

At least one professor came to know and support Harshbarger through the University.

"I felt some rapport with him," said Professorof Astronomy and History of Science Owen J.Gingerich, who added that he has known Harshbarger"casually" for the last 15 years. "He came toMemorial Church and he would sit in the pew behindthe one I would typically sit in."

Other Harshbarger contributors among Harvardfaculty members include Pierce Professor ofTechnology and Public Policy and Professor ofApplied Physics Emeritus Harvey S.D. Brooks,Provost Harvey V. Fineberg '67, Associate VicePresident James S. Hoyte '65, Ames Professor ofLaw Philip B. Heymann, Professor of Law Daniel J.Meltzer '72, Associate Provost Dennis F. Thompson,Weather head University Professor Samuel P.Huntington, Warren Professor of American HistoryErnest R. May '64, Vice President for FinanceElizabeth C. Huidekopper, and former Dean of theCollege Fred L. Jewett'57.

"We don't know why Scott has gotten so muchsupport. Part of it may well be that ScottHarshbarger is a graduate of Harvard," said JohnLaMontagne, the campaign's deputy press secretary."Beyond that, I'm not sure. We're obviously happyto have the support."

Harvard professors' support for Harshbarger didnot surprise campus Republicans.

"Let's face it, these people are notrepresentative of most citizens of this state,"wrote C.J. Mahoney '00, co-president of theHarvard-Radcliffe Republican Club, in an e-mailmessage. "Governor Cellucci has proven over thepast year that he is capable of leading the chargefor small government and lower taxes that BillWeld started eight years ago."

A spokesperson for Cellucci's campaign was notavailable for comment.

Patricia McGovern, the former state senator whotrails Harshbarger by more than 30 pointsaccording to the latest polls, collected about$2,500 from Harvard employees, including Martin H.Peretz, lecturer on social studies.

Radcliffe President Linda S. Wilson donated$1,000 to McGovern's campaign and her husband,Paul Wilson, a professor at the University of NewHampshire, donated an additional $500.

"I've known her for years, and I have fullconfidence in her," Wilson said.

Joseph D. Malone '78, the state treasurer whotrails Cellucci by 25 points, according to thelatest polls, had a $250 from a Harvard affiliate.Brian Donnelly, another Democratic candidate whoby mid-August had $10,000 total in contributions,did not have any Harvard affiliates donating tohis campaign.

Under state campaign finance laws, candidatesare required to file their financial recordsbimonthly. Individuals can donate $500 percandidate every calendar year. No one can donatemore than $12,500 in one year

"I felt some rapport with him," said Professorof Astronomy and History of Science Owen J.Gingerich, who added that he has known Harshbarger"casually" for the last 15 years. "He came toMemorial Church and he would sit in the pew behindthe one I would typically sit in."

Other Harshbarger contributors among Harvardfaculty members include Pierce Professor ofTechnology and Public Policy and Professor ofApplied Physics Emeritus Harvey S.D. Brooks,Provost Harvey V. Fineberg '67, Associate VicePresident James S. Hoyte '65, Ames Professor ofLaw Philip B. Heymann, Professor of Law Daniel J.Meltzer '72, Associate Provost Dennis F. Thompson,Weather head University Professor Samuel P.Huntington, Warren Professor of American HistoryErnest R. May '64, Vice President for FinanceElizabeth C. Huidekopper, and former Dean of theCollege Fred L. Jewett'57.

"We don't know why Scott has gotten so muchsupport. Part of it may well be that ScottHarshbarger is a graduate of Harvard," said JohnLaMontagne, the campaign's deputy press secretary."Beyond that, I'm not sure. We're obviously happyto have the support."

Harvard professors' support for Harshbarger didnot surprise campus Republicans.

"Let's face it, these people are notrepresentative of most citizens of this state,"wrote C.J. Mahoney '00, co-president of theHarvard-Radcliffe Republican Club, in an e-mailmessage. "Governor Cellucci has proven over thepast year that he is capable of leading the chargefor small government and lower taxes that BillWeld started eight years ago."

A spokesperson for Cellucci's campaign was notavailable for comment.

Patricia McGovern, the former state senator whotrails Harshbarger by more than 30 pointsaccording to the latest polls, collected about$2,500 from Harvard employees, including Martin H.Peretz, lecturer on social studies.

Radcliffe President Linda S. Wilson donated$1,000 to McGovern's campaign and her husband,Paul Wilson, a professor at the University of NewHampshire, donated an additional $500.

"I've known her for years, and I have fullconfidence in her," Wilson said.

Joseph D. Malone '78, the state treasurer whotrails Cellucci by 25 points, according to thelatest polls, had a $250 from a Harvard affiliate.Brian Donnelly, another Democratic candidate whoby mid-August had $10,000 total in contributions,did not have any Harvard affiliates donating tohis campaign.

Under state campaign finance laws, candidatesare required to file their financial recordsbimonthly. Individuals can donate $500 percandidate every calendar year. No one can donatemore than $12,500 in one year