Singas raises nearly $1.6 million, Murray almost $1.4 million in Nassau DA's race

Democrat Madeline Singas has raised nearly $1.6 million in her bid for Nassau district attorney, about $200,000 more than Republican opponent Kate Murray, whose total included $400,000 from the county Republican Party, according to new campaign finance reports.

With the Nov. 3 election approaching, the campaigns yesterday filed 11-day pre-general election reports with the state Board of Elections, covering activity from Sept. 29 to Oct. 19.

Singas, the acting district attorney, raised $255,981 during the period and spent $602,770 -- including $200,000 on campaign mailings and $300,000 on television ads, the filings show. She has $134,763 on hand.

Since launching her campaign late last year, Singas has raised a total of $1.58 million and spent $1.44 million.

Murray, the Hempstead Town supervisor, raised $592,000 during the latest filing period, including $400,000 from the Nassau County Republican Committee. She spent $599,000 during the three-week period, including $557,000 on TV ads, leaving her with $203,830 on hand.

Since launching her district attorney campaign this year, Murray has raised $1.39 million and spent $1.19 million. In addition to the transfers from the Nassau GOP, Murray has received $290,000 from her town supervisor campaign committee.

Murray has been town supervisor since 2003, after serving as town clerk, state assemblywoman and an attorney in the state attorney general's office.

"Given her complete lack of criminal justice experience, it's not surprising Kate Murray has been forced to rely on her party bosses, not the voters, to keep her campaign afloat," said Singas spokesman Isaac Goldberg. "Madeline Singas' campaign is being fueled by supporters who believe Nassau needs a prosecutor, not a politician, for district attorney."

Murray campaign spokesman Bill Corbett said only that the new reports show the "campaign is going well and we continue to raise funds."

Singas' largest donation during the filing period was $25,000 from Deborah Rechler, wife of Scott Rechler, chief executive of Uniondale-based RXR Realty.

Murray's top donation was $19,077 from Reid Berglind, an executive assistant in Murray's town supervisor's office.

By Paul LaRocco

paul.larocco@newsday.com@paullarocco

Paul LaRocco is a reporter on the investigations desk. Since starting at Newsday in late 2010, he has also covered Nassau and Suffolk county politics and government and the Town of Oyster Bay.