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With war chest, Bruno still a factor

July 21, 2008

The region’s state legislator whose campaign has far and away the most money to spend isn’t even a legislator any more.

Joseph L. Bruno, the longtime senator, majority leader and Brunswick Republican who left office Friday, still has $1.71 million in cash on hand, according to his campaign financial report filed with the state Board of Elections. The next closest is Republican Sen. James Seward, with about $490,600.

Bruno’s recent decision to retire left a field of 43rd Senate District candidates scrambling to collect signatures for their nominating petitions, and fundraising for their campaign treasuries hadn’t been a priority.

Kris Thompson, a Bruno spokesman, said the former senator would use the funds to support the Republican Party and its candidates. It’s anticipated that Bruno’s endorsed candidate, Assemblyman Roy J. McDonald, R-Saratoga, will receive some of that financial backing.

McDonald transferred $15,900 to his Senate campaign committee from his Assembly campaign committee, according to the report. Democrat Brian Premo of Brunswick has lent his campaign $75,000 and received a $1,000 donation. After paying off previous campaign debts, he now has $72,659 on hand, according to his committee filings.

As of Saturday, the other candidates — Democrats Mike Russo and Joanne Yepsen and Republican Ray Seney — hadn’t established campaign committees, according to online Board of Elections filings.

Here’s how other campaigns are shaping up, as the Sept. 9 primaries approach, based on campaign reports due last week: 108th Assembly

Steve McLaughlin, R-Melrose, a banker and former airline pilot, doesn’t have any money in his campaign war chest. McLaughlin is campaigning on the promise that he is working for middle class families and seniors affected by soaring gas prices, property taxes and health insurance costs.

Campaign spokesman Adam Kramer said McLaughlin is still very much in the race. McLaughlin was not available for comment.

His opponent, incumbent Tim Gordon, I-Bethlehem, has almost $50,000 in his war chest. Gordon, who runs an advertising and public relations firm, has been in the Assembly since 2006. He has focused on escalating Thruway tolls and obtaining state money for local school districts. He is also campaigning on the interests of working families and tax relief. 44th Senate

Incumbent Republican Hugh Farley, seeking his 17th term, has a balance of $415,774 — almost 15 times what one of his challengers has. It helped he had an opening balance this quarter of $337,334. Farley’s camp spent $16,603 this quarter and took in $95,044.

Democrat and Working Families candidate Bahram “BK” Keramati of Galway raised $29,265 since January, spending $1,272 of it.

He expects his fundraising will increase now that he’ll be on the ballot.

“I’m not daunted, it’s just money,” said the retired General Electric engineer. “We have a good message and we’ll work hard to get it out.”

Schenectady County attorney and Democrat Fred Goodman, who filed petitions for the Democratic line and would run in a primary against Keramati, hasn’t formally announced he’s running. The state Board of Elections Web site shows no financial filing for Goodman. 105th Assembly

A year after winning the 105th Assembly District seat, developer and Republican politician George Amedore finds himself in the incumbent role.

Source: Times Union Read the complete article here

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