To fill his political money pockets, Democrat Sam Roberts, candidate for the 119th state Assembly District, can count on his labor union backers, former political acquaintances and New York residents.
That’s a typical pattern of support for candidates from Roberts’ party, said Grant Reeher, a Syracuse University political scientist. “It indicates that they’re Democrat,” said Reeher. Labor unions historically support Democratic candidates, said he said. “Unions in this area have been very big supporters of Democratic candidates,” said Reeher. “Their policies are more union-friendly than Republicans’.”
Roberts is a 35-year member of the United Auto Workers union and a former member of the Onondaga County Legislature. He represented the 19th county Legislature District from 1990 to 2000. For his campaign, Roberts has received financial support from several current and former members of the legislative body.
As of Oct. 22, Roberts had raised $35,189 in campaign contributions, according to disclosure reports filed with the New York State Board of Elections.
Roberts leads his competitors in financial contributions. He competes against GOP candidate John Sharon of DeWitt, with $20,755; the Conservative party’s Christina Fadden Fitch, with $11,826; and Michael Donnelly, the Green Party candidate, with $1,263.
All four are running to fill the seat of incumbent Joan Christensen, D-Syracuse, who is retiring. The 119th state Assembly District includes the towns of DeWitt, Salina, Onondaga, portions of Syracuse and the Onondaga Nation Reserve.
The election is Nov. 2.
Here’s a snapshot of Roberts’ campaign fundraising, according to the State Board of Elections:
- From April 2010 to mid-October 2010, the campaign raised $35,189.
- Of that, 38 percent — or $13,299 — came from unions and union political action committees, or PACs.
- Among his union PAC contributions are $5,000 from the 1199 Service Employees International Union and $3,800 has come from the United Auto Workers Union, an organization of which Roberts has been a longtime member.
- Another 38 percent — or $13,495 — came from named individual contributors. The largest individual donor is lobbyist Jan Feuerstadt, who gave $1,000 to the campaign. Feuerstadt is registered with The Movement Group, an advocacy firm based in New York City.
- 33 percent—or $4,501 — of his donations from individual contributors came from Roberts’ hometown of Syracuse and another 61 percent — or $8,294 — came from individuals in the Central New York area, Albany and New York City.
- Of all his political money, 18 percent —or $6,295— was donated by other political candidates and committees, including the 17th Ward Democratic Committee with $750.
- Roberts’ support from other Democratic politicians includes $100 from county legislator Sam Laguzza, D-Syracuse; $500 from former legislators Amatullah Yamini of Syracuse; and $100 from Ed Ryan of Syracuse and now the Democratic Commissioner for the Onondaga County Board of Elections.
- Roberts has lent $40,000 to his campaign.
- As of Oct. 22, Roberts has $5,841cash in hand.
In voter enrollment, Roberts has an advantage in a Democratic-leaning district. The Democratic Party has 35,659 registered voters compared to the GOP with 21,171 voters; The Conservative Party has 1,043; 442 for the Working Families Party and 263 for the Green Party. There are 19,360 voters in the 119th Assembly District who are unaffiliated.
(Billy Holbert is a graduate student in broadcast and digital journalism.)
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