For his financial backing, Assemblyman Sam Roberts, D-Syracuse, taps his union connections.
“He’s been an activist and he is a firm believer in taking care of working men and women which is where the labor movement stands,” said Paul Schuh, the United Auto Workers Region 9 director of the union’s Community Action Program. Roberts belonged to the UAW for more than 30 years.
Roberts is up for reelection for newly renamed 128th State Assembly District on Nov. 6. The 128th State Assembly District includes the towns of DeWitt, Onondaga, Salina, and parts of Syracuse. He faces Republican John Sharon of DeWitt in a rematch of the 2010 election.
Here’s an overview of Robert’s campaign fundraising, according to financial disclosure reports filed with the New York State Board of Elections:
- Between July 17 and Oct. 5, Roberts received $10,637 in donations.
- Of that, 78 percent — or $8,343 — came from unions and union political actions committees, or PACs.
- Only four individuals contributed to the campaign – $1,694 – and all but one are from Central New York.
- The largest donation from an individual was $1,000 from Wayne Irons of New Jersey.
- As of Oct. 5, Roberts had $11,430 left on hand, according to the New York State Board of Elections.
- Roberts has lent $50,000 for his campaign. This amount is not included for Robert’s cash on hand because it would artificially change that amount, according to the New York State Board of Elections.
Roberts worked for General Motors for 30 years and was a member of the UAW union for even longer. That partly explains the union’s support, said Schuh, the Region 9 director. “And he’s a good friend of the labor,” said Schuh. “He’s been very supportive of our issues.”
The New York State United Teachers union has also supported Roberts again this election season. “He won strong endorsement from our local leaders and when we looked at the voting record, Roberts voted with our members all but one,” said teachers’ union spokesman Carl Corn.
Of 23 votes that the teachers’ union had interest in, Roberts voted in favor of the group’s interests 22 times.
For his campaign expenses, Roberts has spent $25,956 on campaign expenses, according to reports filed with the state board of elections. Among his spending:
- 75 percent — or $19,500 — of Roberts’ total expenses went for public opinion polling.
- For eight fundraisers, Roberts spent $1,498.
- To run his campaign office, Roberts spent $2,847, including bills from Verizon, Office Max, and Sam’s Club.
Robert’s challenger, Republican John Sharon of DeWitt, had received $11,195 in total contributions and has $10,780 left on hand.
(Chet Davis is a senior with dual majors in broadcast journalism and political science.)
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