Eight unions. Four Democratic Party committees. Two politicians. And dozens of $20 checks.
Those are paying most of Democratic challenger Lorene Dadey’s campaign costs for the Onondaga County Legislature’s District 7 seat.
As of Nov. 2, campaign finance reports filed with the New York State Board of Elections show Dadey had raised $9,327 in contributions.
But Dadey expresses concern about her campaign finances. “Ten-to-fifteen thousand dollars is ideal for running an effective campaign,” said Dadey. “It’s a little bit nerve-racking.”
In the Nov. 5 election, Dadey, 56, is in a rematch against incumbent Danny Liedka, R-East Syracuse. In 2011, she lost to Liedka by 166 votes.
District 7 is in the central region of Onondaga County, including a small northeastern part of the city of Syracuse, most of the northern and western parts of DeWitt and all of East Syracuse. Voter enrollment strongly favors Democrats. Of the district’s 16,382 registered voters, 40 percent are Democrats; 26 percent are Republicans and 25 percent are unaffiliated with a party.
Here are some fundraising highlights of Dadey’s campaign, from reports with the state board of elections:
- 48 percent – or almost $4,500– came from eight labor unions. For example, $1,000 each came from Iron Workers Local #60, 1199 SEIU Healthcare Workers East and SEIU 200 United.
- 24 percent – or $2,200 – came from Democratic political action committees, or PACS. For example, Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner’s Promise PAC contributed $1,000. And the DeWitt Democratic Committee gave $500.
- 17 percent – or around $1,600 – came from dozens of checks of around $20 each. She received these from supporters at fundraisers, Dadey said.
- 9 percent – or $825 – came from named individuals. Her largest donation from a named individual is $250 from Sylvia Matousek, the former president of the North Syracuse teachers union.
- 2 percent – or $200 – came from Assemblyman Al Stirpe, D-Syracuse, and Mark English, president of the county’s Democratic committee. Each gave $100.
The United Health Care Workers East, which represents 21,000 workers in 26 upstate counties, has given $1,000 to Dadey’s county legislature campaign. The organization donated the same amount in 2011.
Allison Krause, the union’s communications director, helps decide who receives its political dollars. She praised Dadey as representing working families. “She’s dedicated to bringing good, quality jobs to our area,” Krause said. “And she’s looking to provide tax relief to our families.”
As of Nov. 2, reports show Dadey had spent $7,186, mostly for palm cards and postcards.
To save money, Dadey said, she walks door-to-door handing out palm cards. She keeps a check list from the Onondaga County Board of Elections that tells her the names and addresses of the 16,412 active voters in District 7.
“I’m going to spend it the most efficient way that I can,” Dadey said.
Kristi Andersen, a political scientist at Syracuse University, describes Dadey’s strategy as largely typical of close local races. To win, Andersen said, candidates are better off calling past supporters, residents who typically vote in off-year elections and voters who are affiliated with the same party. And, she added, it’s important for candidates to do as much community socializing as they can.
“It’s about going to the Rotary Club and going to the clambake and going to the firemen’s dinner,” said Andersen, “and talking to everybody who will listen to you talk.”
(Valerie Crowder is a junior with dual majors in newspaper journalism and political science.)
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