Marty Connor Raises a Lot Less Than His Challenger [updated]
Dan Squadron is 28 years old, has never held a public office, and has already raised $205,153.33 in his bid to challenge 30-year incumbent Marty Connor for a state Senate seat, according to the most recent campaign filings.
Connor's numbers haven't been posted online yet, but I'm told he's raised less than $5,000.
When I asked his consultant Evan Stavisky, he told me Connor “hasn’t started fund-raising. He’ll raise and spend whatever it takes to successfully defend his seat."
Connor's campaign closed their July 2007 filing $38,217.60 in debt (although Connor says it was an accounting error).
"Sen. Connor is working hard on behalf of his constituents and doing the job they elected him to do," said Stavisky in an email. "His priority right now is improving New York's schools, ensuring access to quality health care, and expanding affordable housing for working people. While his opponent focuses on petty, partisan political posturing, Sen. Connor is focused on effectively representing the people of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn."
Squadron, a former aide to one-man-fund-raising-juggernaut Chuck Schumer, has spent $16,271.33 and now has $188,882.00 on hand.
Among Squadron’s notable contributors are major Democratic fund-raiser Alan Patricof ($250), former Schumer spokeswoman Risa Heller ($250) and current Schumer spokesman Josh Vlasto ($50).
UPDATE: Squadron called me just now with a response to Staviksy's comment above. "If by calling me partisan, Marty Connor means I would not have stood with Governor Pataki to kill the commuter tax, he's got a point."
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 46.1
- 41.3
- Obama +4.8
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 55.7
- 33.0
- +22.7
- McCain
- 52.7
- 34.1
- +18.6
Not to mention Scott Stringer's former Public Relations/current Knickerbocker SKG guy Eric Pugatch (who looks like he actually LIVES in the Senator's district) and someone named Fred (Let's go Mets) Wilpon.
Apparently Connor's own constituents in politics think he's vulnerable.
Having examined the contributions, it seems that Danny's big base of support is in Suzi Oppenheimer's Senate seat.
Connor's mother just died of cancer after a long illness. He's basically spent all his non-work time caring for her. After her death he undoubtedly had to spend time on settling her estate. I'm just guessing, but it seems possible that fundraising was not his first priority during this period.
I am puzzled why Squadron focusses on a vote taken in 1999 that didn't resonate with voters when it was raised as an issue two years ago. Surely the man must have taken a bad vote more recently. And if he hasn't, it begs the question of why Squadron, who never attended a single community meeting in either of the district's boroughs until five minutes before his campaign, is running.
Isn't it bit early to start a state legislative campaign? It's not exactly a presidential race. Who cares how much money they have. Is that a good reason to vote for someone ("O, look he's rich and has rich friends and family. We need to get behind him.")? Does every district need a candidate who spends $800,000 to $1,000,000.00 for a $79,500.00 a year job to be their State Senator?
Isn't it bit early to start a state legislative campaign? It's not exactly a presidential race. Who cares how much money they have. Is that a good reason to vote for someone ("O, look he's rich and has rich friends and family. We need to get behind him.")? Does every district need a candidate who spends $800,000 to $1,000,000.00 for a $79,500.00 a year job to be their State Senator?
Isn't it bit early to start a state legislative campaign? It's not exactly a presidential race. Who cares how much money they have. Is that a good reason to vote for someone ("O, look he's rich and has rich friends and family. We need to get behind him.")? Does every district need a candidate who spends $800,000 to $1,000,000.00 for a $79,500.00 a year job to be their State Senator?
Isn't it bit early to start a state legislative campaign? It's not exactly a presidential race. Who cares how much money they have. Is that a good reason to vote for someone ("O, look he's rich and has rich friends and family. We need to get behind him.")? Does every district need a candidate who spends $800,000 to $1,000,000.00 for a $79,500.00 a year job to be their State Senator?
Isn't it bit early to start a state legislative campaign? It's not exactly a presidential race. Who cares how much money they have. Is that a good reason to vote for someone ("O, look he's rich and has rich friends and family. We need to get behind him.")? Does every district need a candidate who spends $800,000 to $1,000,000.00 for a $79,500.00 a year job to be their State Senator?