Campaign finance: Gillibrand outraises Sapraicone; Gillen has more cash on hand than D'Esposito

Challenger Laura Gillen has more money in her campaign account than Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, thanks to a large, early investment by national Democrats in a bid to flip the congressional seat, new campaign finance filings show.

That’s unusual because Long Island’s other congressional incumbents all have healthy money advantages over challengers going into the final four months of campaigning, records show. For example, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s campaign chest dwarfs that of GOP challenger Mike Sapraicone. 

The one exception is in the 4th Congressional District in Nassau County — viewed as a key swing district nationally as the parties vie for control of the House of Representatives.

As of their July filings, D’Esposito (R-Island Park) has $2.2 million in his campaign, after raising $691,000 since June 6.

Gillen, the former Hempstead Town supervisor, has $2.5 million, after raising $1.4 million over the same time period. A huge chunk of that came in one single contribution: $543,545 from the "House Victory Project 2024," a national Democratic campaign committee.

Gillen and D’Esposito are in a rematch of their 2022 contest, won by the Republican 52% to 48%.

Jay Jacobs, the state and Nassau County Democratic chairman, said he’s had regular conversations with national Democrats to target Republican-held districts they believe they can win in November.

"I’m always advocating for our targeted races and Laura’s is among our top races," Jacobs said. "We’re doing some early investment there so we can build some [turnout] infrastructure there. This is one race we feel we have a decent chance."

In contrast, D’Esposito spokesman Matt Capp said: "The deep well of enthusiasm for Republicans across New York is evident through the support for Congressman D’Esposito has received from Long Islanders this quarter."

The 4th is considered a "tossup" district by the Cook Political Report. Democrats have an enrollment advantage over Republicans: 227,000 to 155,000. There are 134,000 voters not enrolled in any party.

The 4th went for Democrat Joe Biden over Republican Donald Trump in 2020, 57%-43%. But it turned around and not only elected D’Esposito in 2022, it also favored Republican Lee Zeldin over Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul, 52%-47%, in the governor’s race.

In the one statewide contest this year in New York, Gillibrand, in office since 2009, has stockpiled $10.9 million in her bid for another term. She raised $556,000 since June 6.

In contrast, Sapraicone raised $20,000 and has $199,000 in his campaign account.

Elsewhere on Long Island:

• In the 1st Congressional District on the East End and North Shore of Suffolk County, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) has $2.2 million on hand. Democrat John Avlon, after defeating Nancy Goroff in a June primary, has $596,000 on hand. Both candidates are expected to receive help from national political committees; Cook rates the district "likely" Republican.
• In the 2nd, which runs on the South Shore and is primarily in Suffolk, Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) has $2 million on hand after raising $411,000 since June 6. Democrat Rob Lubin of Lindenhurst raised $79,000 and has $325,000 on hand.
• In the 3rd, which is centered on Nassau’s North Shore and includes parts of Suffolk and Queens counties, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) raised $483,000 since June 6 and has $1.7 million on hand. Republican challenger Michael LiPetri of Farmingdale raised $138,000 and has $213,000 on hand.

By Yancey Roy

yancey.roy@newsday.com@yanceyroy