Even losing is expensive in the race for Onondaga County executive. Just ask Democrat Ed Ryan and Republican Dale Sweetland.
Ryan, for example, raised $142,432 before losing the Democratic nomination to Bill Magnarelli in the primary on Sept. 18. And Sweetland raised $249,567 — but still lost to Joanie Mahoney by 21 votes in the Republican primary.
Those figures are from the latest campaign finance report filed by candidates on October 5th with the State Board of Elections.
Here’s a look at Ryan’s fundraising and spending:
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After he paid for expenses he was left with $27,256.
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Ryan raised $32,179 with seven weeks left to the primary. That left him with a balance of $37,903.
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In the last 11 days before the primary, Ryan only raised $18,209. He didn’t spend his money — after receipts were paid off Ryan had $70,031 in the bank.
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He made his final push with 10 days to the primary and raised $25,325. At the end, Ryan was left with a balance of $7,391.
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Ryan took out $10, 000 in loans for polling $6,000 from himself and $4,000 from Edward J. Ryan Son Funeral Home Inc. in September.
Political scientist Grant Reeher at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs describes why candidates fund themselves like this:
“It might be that there were not as successfully raising money for others that as they would of have been like to have been. It might mean they had money to spend—they were more comfortable without engaging in the fundraising for a lot of different reasons. One is it takes a lot of time to raise money and so the candidate all with things being equal would rather be on the campaign trial than dialing for numbers from donors.” [Grant Reeher]
For his part, Republican Sweetland’s fundraising and spending looks like this:
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Starting in July, Sweetland had contributions adding up to $119,874. His closing balance then was $66,876.
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With seven weeks left to the primary, he only raised $8,466. After expenses, he had $28,810.
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Closing in on the primary with 11 days left, Sweetland raised $46,660. After expense, he had a balance of $31,859.
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At the end, he raised $34,567, and after paying out the last of his expenses Sweetland was left with $11,896.
Political scientist Reeher suggests voters take a look at where candidates get their money.
“I think the more important question is what are the patterns in those donations regardless of where they’re coming from. But that will give I think some insight into who will have the most access to them in terms of getting time in their office being heard. And that’s one of the things a campaign donation will buy you is access to the candidate or the office holder later should they win.” [Grant Reeher]
Ryan and Sweetland will remain on the November ballot on third party lines even though they both endorsed their party’s nominees.
The election is November 6.
For Democracywise, I’m Joyce Ogirri.
(Joyce Ogirri is a graduate student in broadcast journalism.)
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