Local businesses and politicians are chipping in dollars for Judy Tassone’s re-election campaign for the Onondaga County Legislature.
As of Oct. 28, Tassone had raised $25,873. Of that, businesses and other politicians accounted for almost 34 percent. That’s according to reports filed with the New York State Board of Elections.
Tassone, a Republican who lives in Liverpool, is running for re-election to District 4 in the County Legislature. District 4 is in the central region of Onondaga County, including Geddes, the western part of Salina, Liverpool, most of Onondaga Lake, and a small portion of the Northside of Syracuse. Her opponent is Democrat David Stott.
Here is an overview of Tassone’s fundraising:
- From September 20, 2010, until Oct. 28, 2011, Tassone’s campaign has raised $25,873.
- Of that, 36.5 percent — or $9,461 — came from named individual donors.
- The largest individual donor is family friend Richard Congel, who contributed $1,000. His business, R.C. Congel Auto and Boat Sales, donated another $1,075.
- But most — 76.3 percent — of Tassone’s donors gave less than $200.
- In the past year, the campaign has spent $15,761.
Tassone says that it means a lot to her to have so much support from different parts of the community.
“It means they know I can do a job and do it well.”
(Judy Tassone, R-Liverpool)
Her campaign finance records also show this kind of support from businesses and other politicians:
- 19.7 percent — or $5,085—of Tassone’s money has come from businesses.
- The largest business donor is Honeywell International, which has donated $1,125 through its New York political action committee.
- 14.2 percent — or $3,679 — has come from other political campaigns.
- The top donations from other politicians $1,000 each from Friends of Joanie Mahoney committee and MAC PAC, a political action committee created by Common Councilor Ryan McMahon, R-Syracuse, to raise money for candidates he supports. Mahoney was not available to comment for this story. McMahon is running for the county legislature seat from District 15.
- The top political donor is the Republican Legislators Campaign Committee, which donated $5,000.
Judy Tassone’s husband, Bill Tassone, is also the Salina GOP chairman. He says other business contribute to her campaign because they know she shares their concerns. She runs New York Title Company, a consulting business.
“She sees the everyday problems that businesses have.”
(Bill Tassone, Judy’s husband and Salina GOP chairman)
The other group supporting Judy has been fellow politicians. Among them is Kathleen Rapp, another Republican from Liverpool, who is unopposed for re-election for her District 5 seat.
“I had done well at a fundraiser and then I didn’t have an opponent. So it seemed like the right thing to do.”
(Kathleen Rapp, R-Liverpool)
Tassone expressed gratitude for the support from other politicians.
“They all realize that I’m there as a team player. I’m not there for say, one person or the other or whatever.”
(Judy Tassone, R-Liverpool)
The election is Nov. 8.
Reporting for Democracywise, I’m Matt Phifer.
(Matt Phifer is a senior with dual majors in broadcast and digital journalism and political science.) This story was updated Nov. 3 with the most recent campaign finance disclosures.
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