When it comes to tapping into the big bucks to run a campaign, Republican state Sen. John DeFrancisco of the 50th Senate District turns to political action committees, contributions from corporations and individuals in Onondaga County, as well as unions and trade organizations.
In 1992, DeFrancisco was elected to his first term as a New York state Senator of the 50th Senate district. The 50th Senate District includes Syracuse and most of Onondaga County. It is strongly Republican. Now, 67,866 Republicans are registered with the party and 59,837 voters are registered Democrats.
DeFrancisco is seeking a ninth two-year term in the general election on Nov.4.
His opponent is Democrat Carol Mulcahy. In 2006 and 2008, Mulcahy raised no money. Now she has no campaign Web site and is not campaigning.
For his part, in the last two elections DeFrancisco managed to pull in $170,961.06, according to campaign financial disclosure reports from the New York State Board of Elections.
Here’s an overview of DeFrancisco’s campaign finances for this election:
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From all his campaigns before this election, DeFrancisco had $774,973.55 left.
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For the 2008 election, DeFrancisco has raised $100,070.46.
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The campaign has spent $107,913.87 this election year.
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Of the money raised, 64 percent — or $64,415.46 — came from contributors other than individuals, partnerships and corporations.
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Of the total contributions, 36 percent — or $36,550 — came from political action committees, groups that raise money to give to candidates and campaigns.
The largest contributions from PAC’s came from the Realtors PAC, the New York State Correctional and Police Benevolent Association PAC and the New York Anesthesiologists PAC. Of the PACs who contributed to the DeFrancisco campaign, more than 50 percent of them contributed more than $1,000.
A majority of DeFrancisco’s contributions also came from within New York state.
Here’s the geographic breakdown of his campaign fundraising:
- Onondaga County gave DeFrancisco 50 percent — or $50,520.46 — of his campaign money.
- Albany accounts for 20 percent — or $20,750 — of his contributions.
- New York City makes up 10 percent — or $10,800 — of donations.
- Donations from outside of New York state account for 9 percent — or $8,000.
Unions and trade organizations also shelled out big bucks to support DeFrancisco, totaling $14,450. Two of DeFrancisco’s big contributions this election season came from Local Union 43 IBEW and Local 1199 SEIU.
Local Union 43 IBEW donated $5,000. It represents 1,200 electrical workers from 11 counties. Local 1199 SEIU donated $2,000. It represents workers in the healthcare industry, janitors and public service employees.
Local unions and trade organization traditionally support Democrats in eletctions, say experts. But Jeffery Stonecash, who teaches political science at Syracuse University, suggests that with DeFrancisco set up for an overwhelming victory, such organization are looking to gain his favor.
“They need someone in the Senate who will listen to them and be responsive,” Stonecash said. “The last thing in the world you want to do is alienate him and loss any possible influence you may have.”
(Racquel Asa is a broadcast journalism graduate student.)
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