Kathleen Rice has more campaign cash than Bruce Blakeman

Democrat Kathleen Rice has an $800,000 cash advantage over Republican Bruce Blakeman as the 4th Congressional District candidates transition from their primary victories to the general election campaign.

Rice, the Nassau district attorney, will report to the Federal Election Commission Tuesday that she raised $977,458 between April 1 and June 30, according to her campaign. She ended the filing period with $1.4 million in cash on hand.

Blakeman, an attorney who served as presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature from 1996 to 1999, ended the second quarter with $610,000 on hand, his campaign said. He raised $640,000 during the period, including a personal loan of an undisclosed amount.

The candidates are vying to succeed nine-term Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola) in the southern-central Nassau County district, which has about 206,000 registered Democrats, 171,000 Republicans and 135,000 voters belonging to either a minor party or no party.

Rice had raised $1.4 million in the first quarter -- placing her among the nation's top House fundraisers. Blakeman got a later start on his 4th District campaign, raising $114,200 and loaning himself $200,000.

"This is the first test of general election support, and while we couldn't be happier with the results, Kathleen will work hard like the underdog she's always been," said campaign spokesman Eric Phillips, a reference to how Rice started her political career by defeating a 30-year incumbent for district attorney.

Campaign spokesman Matt Coleman said Blakeman "has the resources" to win in November, regardless of whether he's outraised.

"Political fundraising is a marathon, not a sprint," Coleman said. "Bruce will continue to raise money as he focuses on the campaign's grassroots efforts to change Washington."

Both Rice and Blakeman survived challenges to win their low-turnout primary elections.

Rice defeated Nassau Legislative Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams by 12 percentage points, or about 1,500 votes on June 24. Blakeman beat three-time challenger Frank Scaturro by 31 points, or about 4,000 votes.

In the general election, Rice also has the Working Families Party line while Blakeman also has the Conservative and Independence party nominations.