The multi-millionaire the media misses

An item about the same-sex marriage issue that was under-reported in Maine during the campaign was S. Donald Sussman's donation. In brief references, the Bangor Daily News and a few others reported that Sussman raised $500,000 for the "No on 1" campaign.

That's a huge chunk of cash by any standard, let alone Maine's, so why did it get such subdued coverage in the media? Mega donations are always of interest and when it comes to donors to political causes, locally and nationally, few have deeper pockets than Donald Sussman.

Why, then, hasn't Sussman become a household name?

It isn't like he just started to hand out money in Maine. Paloma Partners, the hedge fund he started, has contributed more than $70,000 over the past two years to help his good friend Chellie Pingree win her seat in the U.S. Congress.

Sussman has been linked romantically to the First District Congresswoman although Pingree aides insist the two are only friends.

Whatever their connection, Paloma Partners, has been a big donor to Pingree's campaigns since her Senate run against Susan Collins in 2002. According to the website OpenSecrets.org, donations from Paloma Partners continue to flow in.

Despite all this, Sussman, who is also a leading benefactor of liberal candidates and causes outside of Maine, has managed to fly below the radar of the sleepy local media. When he was in town to help Pingree celebrate her victory last fall, the only newsman to show much interest was Chris Busby, the editor of the Bollard, an alternative weekly.

The cheeky Busby wrote a detailed and entertaining story on Sussman's appearance at Pingree's victory celebration last year. Part of the story involved Busby's vain attempt to visit the modest house on Munjoy Hill where Sussman entertains friends when he is in town.

Few outside Busby (who did some digging) even knew its location because Sussman doesn't broadcast his Maine activities On his company's web page, his residences are listed as Greenwich CT, New York City and St. Thomas, in the Virgin Islands.

Portland is not mentioned.