Mike Heagerty
To fill his political coffers, Michael Heagerty is relying on loans in his re-election campaign for the District 1 seat on the Common Council.
This is unusual for an incumbent candidate but it’s not unheard of, said Jeffrey Stonecash, a professor of political science at Syracuse University. Usually, the candidate taking out the loan is a poorly-financed challenger, not the incumbent, he said. Added Stonecash: “It’s uncommon that someone in his situation would have to borrow money.”
Heagerty is on the ballot as the Working Families candidate. He is seeking his second term as Syracuse’s District 1 Common Councilor. He’s running against Republican Matthew Rayo. District 1 is comprised of the northern party of they city, between I-690 and the town of North Syracuse. The general election is Nov. 3.
Heagerty is a prominent entrepreneur and owner of the landmark Palace Theatre in Eastwood. He won election to the Common Council from District 1 in 2007 as a Democrat. But in summer 2009, he failed to get the required number of petition signatures to get his name on the ballot as the Democratic nominee. But party officials have said he still has their support.
As of Oct. 23, here’s a snapshot of Heagerty’s campaign finances, from reports filed with the New York State Board of Elections:
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In August 2009, the Heagerty campaign took out a $5,000 loan to cover campaign costs.
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He also received a $150 contribution from the 17th Ward Democratic Committee, on which he once served.
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He also received a $200 from Robert Congel founder of The Pyramid Companies, a Syracuse-based development company.
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He has spent a total of $4,003, including $2,544 on printing.
Rayo, his Republican challenger, has raised about $3,800, most thorough small donations. He also has spent about $2,000 of that.
Heagerty did not respond to repeated phone requests for an interview for this story.
Heagerty was first elected in 2007 when Republican Jeff DeFrancisco decided not to seek a third term for the Disttrict 1 seat. In that race, Heagerty raised more than $16,000, most of it through individual contributions of about $200. A local campaign usually costs about $15,000- $20,000, said SU political scientist Stonecash.
Stonecash suggests that Heagerty’s drop in fundraising is most likely a calculated gamble by Heagerty. “He has probably done his homework on this,” Stonecash said. “He isn’t in an awful situation financially.”
(Steve Doane is a senior newspaper major).
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