Hochul fundraising, spending tops in Dem primary; GOP reports tighter 

ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul spent nearly twice as much on her election campaign in the last five months as her two Democratic primary opponents combined and still has far more on hand to spend in the June primary than either of her rivals, according to state Board of Elections records.

On the Republican side, fundraising and spending was much tighter as the June 28 primary approaches for both parties. Rep. Lee Zeldin of Shirley raised $2.4 million and spent $5.7 million, while former hedge fund manager Harry Wilson loaned his campaign nearly $10 million and raised another $1.9 million. Wilson’s campaign has spent $7.6 million since January. Zeldin and Wilson outraised and outspent the other GOP candidates, Andrew Giuliani and Rob Astorino.

Where I have Zeldin with a total of $2.4 million on hand, could you please add “the campaign however says that additional fundraising in a joint account between Zeldin and his lieutenant governor running mate Allison Esposito increases that total to $3.2 million.”

Hochul showed the fundraising strength of an incumbent who wields the massive state budget. The Buffalo native attracted millions of dollars in donations from CEOs and Wall Street investors, many of whom do business or seek to do business with the state. Real estate developers and labor unions continue to be among the biggest contributors to Hochul, according to the campaign records filed by Friday’s midnight deadline.

Since January, Hochul received $10.3 million in campaign contributions. As for her Demcoratic opponents, Rep. Tom Suozzi of Glen Cove raised $3.3 million in that period and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams of Brooklyn raised $249,637.

Among Hochul’s contributors since January, six individuals gave the maximum allowed by law, $69,700 each. They included real estate developers Jack Cayre and Michael Cayre; June Trone, wife of Total Wine and More owner David Trone; and Bill Harris of Miami, Fla. They also include John Hess, CEO of the Hess Corporation, and James L. Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., according to the New York Times.

Suozzi’s biggest contributors included $42,000 from Great Neck business owner Stuart Gelb; $22,600 from Ira Riklis, whose businesses include security companies, and $90,400 combined from David Timothy and Joan Delaney, who owned insurance companies on Long Island.

Williams didn’t receive any donations over $10,000 since January. Contributions included $10,000 from Rabbi Raymond Rachamim Sultan, a community leader, and $3,000 from progressive activist and actor Cynthia Nixon. 

Since January, Hochul spent $13.1 million, mostly on TV ads and to reserve airtime for coming weeks. Suozzi spent $6.3 million and Williams spent $308,278.

Hochul spent more than $7 million since January with the GMMB media for campaign advertising alone. The Washington, D.C.-based company had previously worked for Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

The records show Hochul still had $18.5 million on hand to spend. Suozzi had $2.7 million and Williams had $130,580.

Hochul’s campaign fund is commanding for the primary, but it’s so large that it also sets her up for a quick jump on the general election if she wins the Democratic nomination, said Bruce Gyory, a political strategist who studies election results and voting trends.

“Hochul is in a very strong position to define the ultimate winner of the Republican primary before they have a chance to define themselves for the general election,” Gyory said.

The financial filings don’t show a clear advantage in the Republican field, Gyory said.

Zeldin raised $2.4 million, the campaign however says that additional fundraising in a joint account between Zeldin and his lieutenant governor running mate Allison Esposito increases that total to $3.2 million.”  Zeldin spent $5.7 million and had $3.1 million on hand, according to his campaign.

Zeldin's biggest contributors include New Jersey banker Vernon Hill, who gave $60,829. Real estate developer Peter Kalikow contributed $10,800, Boston business consultant Barabbar Jean Flynn contributed $60,000 and Long Island auto dealer Raymond Tantillo gave $50,000.

Zeldin’s fundraising included more than $500,000 in a single event in Oyster Bay in February that included former Vice President Mike Pence

“Zeldin hasn’t done badly, but he hasn’t raised enough money,” Gyory said.

Wilson of Scarsdale raised $1.9 million, spent $7.6 million and had $4.2 million on hand. His biggest contributors included $13,729 from investor Steven Rattner, who served with Wilson on President Obama’s task force to turn around the auto industry in the recession, and $60,829 from Brett Barth, co-CEO of the BBR Partners investment firm.

Astorino of South Salem raised $249,637, spent $308,278 and had $1.3 million left. A former Westchester County executive, Astorino’s biggest contributions included $22,448 from Buffalo-area developer Patrick Hotung and Lisa Hotung, $13,724 from construction company owner James Lema and $10,000 from White Plains real estate developer Louis Tallarini.

Giuliani of Manhattan raised $221,252, spent $195,518 and had $312,799 left. He is a former Trump administration official and the son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. His biggest contributors included $25,000 from Michigan business owner Ronald J. Shunia and $15,000 from investor Charles Nemes of Michigan.

By Michael Gormley

michael.gormley@newsday.com@GormleyAlbany

Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.