The clock is winding down. Early voting is coming soon. How much money do the 2022 candidates have to wrap up the presentation of their cases to the voters?
The Hochul/Democratic team and the Zeldin/Republican team at this stage have pretty much decided their closing strategies. Both have considerable cash available. Zeldin is also benefitting from the millions of dollars in Republican PAC money that is being used to attack Hochul. The Republicans are throwing around comments about “rigged elections” as they challenge state laws intended to expand voting opportunities. Democrats are calling attention to fraud involving minor party petitions that the Republicans submitted for Zeldin.
All state and local candidates and committees involved in 2022 elections were required to file reports by October 7th reflecting receipts and expenditures through October 3. There will be one more set of financials prior to the election, on October 28th.
Here are the financials for the statewide candidates since July:
Kathy Hochul. Raised $11,029,907. Balance of funds still available: $10,908,885Lee Zeldin. Raised $6,414,425. Balance $4,501,296.Attorney General Letitia James, Democrat. Raised $701,183. Balance $2,757,956Republican candidate for Attorney General, Michael Henry. Raised $239,654. Balance $146,213State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Democrat. Raised $318,620. Balance $1,998,367Republican candidate for Comptroller, Paul Rodriguez. Raised $157. Balance $3,173
In the race for Erie County Clerk, here are the numbers:
Republican Incumbent Michael Kearns. Raised $61,315. Balance $15,239Democrat Melissa Hartman. Raised $21,473. Balance $40,182
Here are financials for candidates for the State Legislature:
Senator Tim Kennedy, 63rd District. Raised $91,350. Balance $1,990,211Senator Pat Gallivan, 60th District, Republican. No report posted as of October 10, 2022. Senator Sean Ryan, Democratic candidate in the 61st District, raised $129,799. Balance $322,308Senator Ed Rath, Republican candidate in the 61st District, raised $40,043. Balance $173,173Senator Robert Ortt, 62nd District, Republican. Raised $166,025. Balance $286,253 Assemblyman Bill Conrad, 140th District, Democrat. Raised $40,043. Balance $18,047Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, 141st District, Democrat. No report posted as of October 10, 2022.Assemblyman Pat Burke, 142nd District, Democrat. Raised $19,965. Balance $60,735Sandy Magnano, 142nd District, Republican. Raised $31,530. Balance $9,850+Assemblywoman Monica Wallace, 143rd District, Democrat. Raised $46,184. Balance $136,628Frank Smierciak, Republican, 143rd, District. Raised $7,167. Balance $8,317Assemblyman Michael Norris, 144th District, Republican. No report posted as of October 10, 2022. Assemblyman Angelo Morinello, 145th District, Republican. Raised $15,605. Balance $84,803Assemblywoman Karen McMahon, 146th District, Democrat. Raised $27,803. Balance $51,786Katrina Zeplowitz, 146th District, Republican. Raised $9,958. Balance $3,028+Assemblyman David DiPietro, 147th District, Republican. Raised $16,427. Balance $140,486Assemblyman Jon Rivera, 149th District, Democrat. No report posted as of October 10, 2022. Ralph Hernandez 149th District, Republican. No Committee record filed as of October 10, 2022
Tim Kennedy’s bankroll
Senator Kennedy’s campaign treasury appears to exceed the total combined treasuries of all 13 other incumbent Western New York state legislators noted above; and is just $8,156 less than the account of State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Since July his major expenditures have included checks to Kathy Hochul ($10,000); Equity PAC ($10,000); Brown for Buffalo ($5,000); and the State Senate Democratic Campaign Committee ($6,127). In total his campaign spent $191,340 since mid-July.
Financials for candidates for State Supreme Court:
Tracey Bannister, endorsed by all parties. Balance $1,046Craig Hannah, endorsed by all parties. No Committee record filed as of October 10, 2022Gerald Greenan, endorsed by all parties except Working Families. Balance $0Kelly Vacco, endorsed by all parties except Working Families. No Committee record filed as of October 10, 2022Shannon Heneghan, Democrat and Working Families candidate. Raised $32,546 since July; total for year, $208,971, including a $100,000 loan. Balance $38,083Joseph Lorigo, Republican and Conservative candidate. Raised $157,485. Loans from Joseph Lorigo ($20,000) and Ralph Lorigo ($74,000). Balance $232,098
Congressional financial reports were due to be filed by September 30. The Federal Election Commission is often slow in posting that information. Concerning the three Western New York House races and the election for United States Senator, the only candidate who had his financials posted as of October 10 was Max Della Pia.
Della Pia, Democrat in the 23rd District. Raised $244,340 since January. Balance $52,499 ($17,100 owed)
In case you were wondering
Former Erie County Comptroller and Hamburg Supervisor candidate Stefan Mychajliw failed to file his post-election report last November or his January or July 2022 financial reports on the reporting deadlines. On August 15 he filed reports essentially closing out his campaign accounts.
His reports indicated that he had loaned his campaign $13,918, which was basically converted into a contribution. His January report (filed in August) reported a $30,000 expenditure to Big Dog Strategies. After the election Mychajliw became an associate of Big Dog Strategies.
Lynn Dixon paid Big Dog Strategies $75,039 in her losing campaign for County Comptroller last year. Erie County Legislator Joseph Lorigo paid the same consulting firm $14,070 in his successful re-election campaign in 2021.
Ken Kruly writes about politics and other stuff at politicsandstuff.com
Follow on Twitter @kenkruly
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