Arcuri Taps Unions, NYC & Hometown for Re-Election $

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For his political treasure chest, U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-Utica) can count on labor unions, New York City and his hometown of Utica.

That’s typical for Democratic politicians, said Jeff Stonecash, a professor of political science at Syracuse University. Politicians, said Stonecash, need as much political money as they can get to counter any negative image their opponents might try to brand them with.

“You raise your money where you can,” said Stonecash. “The reality is—you need money.”

Arcuri was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 as the congressman from New York’s 24th district. He defeated Republican state Senator Raymond Meier in a fierce and costly campaign.

In that 2006 race, Arcuri raised $2,228,065 and spent $2,192,558. The race became infamous for the hard-hitting attack ads from candidates and outside groups.

The 24th Congressional district covers Chenango, Courtland, Herkimer and Seneca Counties and parts of Broome, Cayuga, Oneida, Ontario, Otsego, Tioga, and Tompkins Counties.

Arcuri is up for reelection in November 2008. Before taking office in the U.S. House, Arcuri served 13 years as the district attorney of Oneida County, which includes the Utica area. For the 2008 election, it’s not yet clear if he will have a challenger.

Here’s an overview of Arcuri’s fundraising in 2007, according to data from the Federal Election Commission:

  • The campaign raised at least $760,205.
  • It spent at least $275,019.
  • As of the end of 2007, the campaign had $520,693 cash on hand.
  • Of the money raised, 61 percent was from political action committees, interest groups that donate to political campaigns. That’s $466,781.
  • Labor unions donated $199,500 to the campaign. That’s about 43 percent of the money raised from political action committees.

Strong support from labor unions, say experts, is common among Democratic candidates. Robert D. McClure, the Chapple Family Professor of Citizenship and Democracy at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, studies political campaigns.

Labor unions, said McClure, often contribute to politicians whose voting records support labor.“The record produces the money,” said McClure.

Arcuri also raised $291,050 from individuals. That accounts for 38 percent of his total fundraising. Here are some highlights of individual contributions to the Arcuri campaign in 2007, according to data from the Federal Election Commission:

  • 68 percent of the money came from within New York State. That’s $197,088.
  • 36 percent of the instate money came from New York City. That’s $70,762.
  • 41 percent of the instate money came from within the 24th district. That’s $80,700.
  • 76 percent of the money from Arcuri’s district came from his hometown, Utica, and the bordering town of New Hartford. That’s $61,575.
  • 80 percent of the contributions from Arcuri’s district were for $500 or less.

One of the individuals in the 24th district who made a small donation to Arcuri was Joseph Lisi of Utica. He doesn’t often donate to political campaigns, he said, but he made a contribution of $250 to Arcuri’s campaign fund in 2007. He’s known Arcuri since they grew up together 30 years ago. He supports Arcuri, he said, because he shares his views on many issues. Arcuri, he said, truly represents his community in Washington.

“It’s important he’s from the community because he’s a part of the community,” said Lisi. “You see him around town. You see him in the supermarket. You know he’s going to be responsive to the needs of the community where he lives.”

(Liam Migdail-Smith is a junior newspaper journalism major.)

 

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