Friends are the biggest source of money for Al Julian as he campaigns for the First District Common Council seat.
“I took from a list of friends of my father’s, friends of mine, friends of my mother’s, friends of the family that I felt wouldn’t be inconvenienced with spending ninety-nine dollars on a dinner for a couple.” (Julian)
Julian is the Republican candidate for the First District. Democrat candidate Michael Heagerty and Conservative candidate Kurt Schmeling are also in the race for the First District. The seat is open since Jeff DeFrancisco, the current Common Councilor, decided not to run for another term.
By the October 5th deadline, Julian filed the required report on his fundraising to the state Board of Elections. So far, he has raised a total of $3,300. He has spent $3,496.16. In an interview on October 14, Julian said he has received two more donations, bringing his unofficial total to $4,500. Those latest donations, Julian says, are $1,000 from the Associated Building Contractors of Central New York and $200 from the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 400.
Stan Dean is the regional vice president of the contractors’ group called ABC, as well as the city of Syracuse Republican chair. Dean says the contractors’ group donates to candidates who support employers who want to hire non-union members. Dean says Julian met with the group and persuaded its members that he shares their view.
“When we brought him into the interview, we were more or less parallel on our beliefs. That’s why we donated one-thousand dollars to Al Julian.” (Dean)
Here are some highlights in Julian’s fundraising:
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In two weeks before the report was filed on October 5th, Julian raised $3,300.
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75 percent — $2,483 — is from 9 individual donors.
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The largest individual donation to date is $500 from John Giamartino, a long-time family friend and owner of two Tully restaurants in Syracuse.
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6 percent — $200 — is from 2 corporations.
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Those are $100 each from Carlo Coiffures, owned by Carmen Logan, long time friend to Julian; and Woolley Morris Architects PC, managed by Richard Morris, a businessman in the First District.
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11 percent — $350 — is from the campaigns of fellow Republicans: $100 from Pirro ’07, the campaign fund for retiring County Executive Nick Pirro; and $250 from Friends for Ryan McMahon, the campaign fund for Common Councilor McMahon of the city’s Third District.
“I support Al because Al has lived and grown up in that district that he represents and understands the issues that are affecting the neighborhoods, and wants to work diligently to address those issues.” (McMahon)
In the seven weeks covered by the October 5th campaign finance report, Julian’s spending looks like this:
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Total spending so far is $3,496.19.
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Of that, 33 percent–$1,163.63 — has been spent on food and beverages for fundraising events and campaign staffers.
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67 percent–$2,332.56 –has been spent on paper, printing and graphic companies.
Julian says he plans to raise more money.
“Now we are planning another fundraiser – possibly two. I think we may do another one, a larger one, a hundred bucks maybe, and we may do a smaller one for the Republican people and maybe some friends and family that want to actually give.” (Julian)
For Democracywise I’m Ashley Prchal.
(Ashley Prchal is a broadcast journalism graduate student.)
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