State Rep. Carl Sciortino raised significantly more money than his primary challenger, Bob Trane, and goes into next Tuesday's primary will a big cash on hand advantage, according to campaign finance reports.

Sciortino, of Medford, has raised more than $91,500 [img_assist|nid=1117|title=State Rep. Carl Sciortino (D-Medford)|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=135|height=180]this year and had more than $40,000 left in his account at the end of August. Trane raised less than half of that, $35,500, during the same period and had approximately $6,200 left in his war chest when he filed his pre-primary report.

Sciortino's cash advantage could prove to be pivotal in next week's primary for the 34th Middlesex District seat. Because he failed to submit enough signatures, Sciortino will have to defend his seat with write-in and sticker votes. Only Trane's name will appear on the Democratic ballot.

The candidates began the year with similar amounts in their coffers. Trane had more than $6,300 in his account and Sciortino had more than $7,620 in his. Both relied primarily on individual contributions over the year, but Sciortino did receive some support from unions that Trane did not. Two local branches of the Service Employees International Union Local 1199 gave Sciortino $500 each, as did the labor group's Massachusetts State Council. The Massachusetts chapter of the American Federation of Teachers chipped in $500 as well.

Sciortino also loaned his campaign $4,000.

Sciortino has spent nearly $59,000 so far this cycle, while Trane has dished out almost $36,000. Trane has primarily spent his money on typical campaign expenditures such as office space, mailings and printing campaign literature. He also paid "Data for Donkeys" $1,500 for microtargeting services.

In contrast, Sciortino has spent significantly more money on campaign consultants. He paid Clark Strategic Communications, veteran strategist Dorie Clark's firm, $5,000. He also hired Connection Strategies, Dan Cohen's polling shop, $8,300.