Rep. Vito Fossella’s campaign committee announced the Staten Island Republican has raised more than $700,000 to date in this election cycle ($700,967, to be exact) and has just over $250,000 on hand.

In the last quarter, Fossella raised $304,453 and spent $462,866 (the press release didn’t mention that last number, nor did it tout his $28,020 worth of debt).

“We had a very successful fourth quarter to complete another productive fundraising year. We are fully on schedule with our fundraising plans as we head into the election year,” Fossella said. “Our fundraising success is reflective of the widespread support we enjoyin Staten Island and Brooklyn.We are in the process of finalizing details to open a campaign headquarters shortly and move into the next phase of our campaign plan. We look forward to the upcoming race and the opportunity to discuss our successes as well as our plans to continue moving our community and country forward.”

There are likely to be two Democrats vying for the right to take on Fossella in the 13th CD come November – a key year for Democrats trying to oust Republicans, as turnout is expected to be unusually high – although Fossella has the benefit of both incumbency and Staten Island’s GOP stronghold status.

Steve Harrison has already formally announced his plans to take a second shot at trying to oust Fossella. Harrison has the support of Frank Barbaro, a retired assemblyman and onetime mayoral candidate who ran unsuccessfully against Fossella in 2004, but he’s something of an underdog where the Democratic establishment is concerned.

Many of the powers-that-be would like to see Councilman Domenic Recchia run against Fossella. Recchia hasn’t yet anounced, but he is raising money for a potential congressional campaign.

By the end of December, Recchia had raised $220,770, spent $14,318 and has 206,451 on hand.

By the end of September (he’s most recent numbers aren’t yet up), raised $37,618, spent $6,498 and has $37,367 on hand, plus $1,595 worth of debt.

Source: NY Daily News