Bellone holds large fundraising lead

Steve Bellone, the Democratic candidate for Suffolk County executive, enters the contest's final month with nearly three times as much in his campaign coffers as Republican opponent Angie Carpenter, records show.

Bellone, the Babylon town supervisor, reported having $828,000 in the bank, after having raised $710,000 in contributions since July 16. He received large donations from developers and unions and $5,000 from former Democratic congressman Tom Downey, according to the campaign records that were submitted last week.

Carpenter, the county treasurer, reported having $293,000 on hand, after having raised $196,000 during the same period.

County Democrats hold the fundraising advantage, Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer asserted, because voters are unimpressed with Carpenter's records. "People are excited about our campaigns. They [Republicans] are bankrupt of money, ideas, and enthusiasm," he said.

County Republican chairman John Jay LaValle was not available for comment Saturday. Rick Belyea, Carpenter's campaign manager, said she was relying on smaller "$5, $10, $20 donations" in running a more grassroots campaign.

Carpenter, the county's first female candidate for executive, received a $10,000 donation Oct. 5 from the Suffolk Republican Women political club. She also received $10,000 donations from the Suffolk Association of Municipal Employees, the county's largest public union, and the Long Island Builders PAC, a developers' group.

Nassau Republicans, meanwhile, reported $769,000 in the bank, after having raised $305,000 since July. Tony Santino, spokesman for the Nassau Republican Party, was unavailable for comment Saturday.

By contrast, the Nassau County Democratic Committee said it had only $27,000 left, after raising $70,000 since July.

Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs said the party had still not held a major fundraiser as of Oct. 1.