In the money race, U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, is in the lead against two Republican challengers.
But that’s no surprise, say experts on campaign finance. It is not unusual for an incumbent to raise more money than a challenger, experts say. They have access to more sources of funding, says Jonathan Krasno, political scientist at SUNY Binghamton. For Arcuri, said, Krasno, “I would fully expect him to raise over $2 million.”
He’s not quite there yet, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a non-partisan campaign finance watchdog group in Washington, D.C. The Center analyzes fundraising reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. The latest reports were filed with FEC on April 15.
For the 2009-2010 campaign cycle, incumbent Arcuri, has raised a total of $912,323, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That compares to about one-third as much — or $394,357 — for his closest challengerRichard Hanna, a Republican and construction company owner from Barneveld. The third candidate in the race, Ernest Logan Bell of Lansing, who is running under no political party yet, has not filed any fundraising report with the Federal Election Commission.
The 24th Congressional District includes the counties of Chenango, Courtland, Herkimer and Seneca Counties and parts of Broome, Cayuga, Oneida, Ontario, Otsego, Tioga and Tompkins. The district tends toward the GOP. Republicans account for 40 percent of registered voters, with 150,000, compared to 34 percent or 126,000 voters registered as Democrats.
As of mid-April, neither of the parties has officially announced their nominations. The primary elections are on Sept. 14, 2010. The general election is Nov. 2, 2010.
Here’s a look at the candidates’ fundraising as of mid-April:
Michael Arcuri (Democrat, incumbent)
Michael Arcuri, 50, of Utica, has been in the House of Representatives since 2006. For 13 years before that, he was the district attorney for Oneida County. In the House, Arcuri sits on two committees: the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Rules Committee.
Among highlights from the Center for Responsive Politics on Arcuri’s campaign finance:
- The campaign has raised at least $912,323.
- Of that, 68 percent — or $622,921 — is from political action committees or PACs, which are groups organized to raise money for candidates or causes. Among the PACS contributing $10,000 are three unions: International Association of Firefighters; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
- Arcuri has spent $320,449.
- As of April 15, the campaign had $493,071 cash on hand.
- 81 percent — or $106,326 — of his donations came from within New York.
- Of the in-state donations, 58 percent — or $61,350 — is from Arcuri’s hometown of Utica.
For this election, Arcuri’s biggest fundraising problem may be his vote against the health care overhaul legislation, said Krasno, the SUNY Binghamton political scientist. Arcuri was one of only 34 Democrats who opposed the bill that President Barack Obama signed into law in March.
That puts Arcuri at odds with the Democratic leadership and may cost him important support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, suggest Krasno. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raises money and helps Democratic candidates.
“He will have the opportunity to raise tons of money,” says Krasno. “The question is going to be whether the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee decides to invest.”
Richard Hanna (Republican, challenger)
Richard Hanna, 59, is running for the second time against Arcuri. In 2008, he lost by about 10,000 votes. In that election, Hanna had 120,880 votes to 130,799 votes for Arcuri, according to the New York State Board of Elections.
Among the Center for Responsive Politics’ highlights of Hanna’s campaign finance:
- The campaign has raised $394,357.
- Of that 83 percent — or $326,080 — comes from individual donors in the 24th Congressional District.
- Hanna has spent $46,425.
- He has $357,890 cash on hand.
- 9 percent — or $36,000 — of his total campaign funds comes from his own pocket.
Candidates who use their own money have advantages and disadvantages, said Jeff Stonecash, a political scientist at Syracuse University. If Hanna uses his own money, says Stonecash, it can create a sense that he is just a rich guy pursuing a public office.
“On the other hand,” says Stonecash, “he can always say he is not dependent on interest groups or lobbyists.”
Hanna has been around for a long time in Oneida County politics, says Stonecash, and has established his own persona. “I don’t think,” says Stonecash, “this is a fat cat who suddenly decides to get into politics.”
Hanna’s wealth also gives him the advantage of quick fundraising out of his own bank account, said Krasno, the SUNY Binghamton political scientist. And that makes Hanna and others who can lend money to their own campaigns attractive to the political parties. “The parties will specifically go out and recruit candidates who can afford to write a check to themselves,” said Krasno.
(Kara Labs is a graduate student in broadcast journalism.)
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