Small contributions add up to the biggest money for Republican Don Miller in his campaign for the 121st state Assembly District seat.
With his fundraising, Miller describes himself as running “a typical challenger race,” with most of his money coming from individuals. “You won’t see big money from political action groups or special interest groups,” he said.
As of Oct. 22, Miller had raised a total of $34,430, according to the New York State Board of Elections. The majority of Miller’s campaign contributions come from individuals giving less than $300.
Miller, 44, a businessman from Clay, is the Republican candidate for the 121st Assembly District. Miller is challenging incumbent Al Stirpe, D-North Syracuse, who has held the seat since 2006. The 121st State Assembly district includes the towns of Cicero, Clay, Manlius, LaFayette, and Pompey. Election Day is Nov. 2.
This is Miller’s first run for elected office. He has worked behind the scenes for several Republican candidates, including New York Giants football player Phil McConkey’s Congressional campaign in 1990 and the 1993 campaign of the late Bernie Kraft, legislator from Onondaga County’s 2nd District.
In the fundraising, the incumbent, Stirpe, has raised almost five times as much as Miller. Stirpe has raised $157,089, according to the New York State Board of Elections.
Here’s an overview of Miller’s fundraising from reports filed with the state board of elections:
- Of his total $34,430, most — 71 percent, or $24,420 — came from named individual donors. His biggest single individual donor was Patrick J. Miller, of Liverpool, who gave $7,600.
- 21 percent — or $7,165 — came from political committees and political action committees. Among the largest contribution was $500 from Citizens for DeFrancisco, a fundraising committee for state Sen. John DeFrancisco, R- Syracuse; and $2,500 from Empire State Political Action Committee of East Syracuse, which represents builders and contractors.
- 9 percent — or $2,845—came from corporate donors. The biggest corporate contribution was $500 from Central Ny Coin and Silver Inc. of Liverpool.
One of Miller’s named individual donors is Rand Allgaier, an attorney from Liverpool who gave $1,750. That’s Miller’s third-largest individual contribution. Miller’s views on cutting government regulation on small business inspired him to donate, said Allagaier.
“The state is not helping businesses create jobs. Don can implement that change and that is why I contributed,” said Allgaier.
Miller downplays the five-to-one fundraising advantage of the incumbent, Stirpe. “Money does not decide elections,” said Miller. “Voters do.”
(Hilary Levin is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism.)
-30-
