Unchallenged Congressional GOP candidates raise more $ than battling Democrats

 

Congressonal District 4

 

Congressional District 3

Nassau's Republican Congressional candidates are benefiting in their fundraising by having no primary challengers this year.

Both Anthony D'Esposito, who is seeking the 4th District House seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City), and George Santos, looking to fill the 3rd District  seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) have each collected more in campaign contributions and have more cash on hand than any Democratic candidates for the same seats, according records from the Federal Elections Commission.

D'Esposito filed to run about a month after most Democrats in District 4 announced their candidacy in February or early March.  Santos ran against Suozzi two years ago and has been running ever since.

Both House races are crowded with Democratics seeking their party's nod for the August 23 primary, which means party supporters divide their contributions among them.

There are six active Democratic candidates in District 3, which runs along Nassau's North Shore, and five active Democrat hopefuls in District 4 along Nassau's South Shore.

Presumably, much of the Democrats money will be spent to get out primary voters while D'Esposito and Santos can save their funds for the Nov. 8 general election.

Both districts originally were considered "Democratic-leaning" but have since been labeled "toss-ups" in the latest polls as Democrat President Joe Biden's popularity craters with voters across the nation.

According to FEC records, D'Esposito, in District 4, has raised $575,220 in donations since he became a candidate, spent about $25,000 and has $549,615 in the bank, as of June 30.

D'Esposito, of Island Park, is a Hempstead Town Council member. He is a retired New York City police detective and former chief of the Island Park Fire Department.  

Former Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen collected a total $553,724 in contributions since she became a candidate, has spent $168,482 and had $385,241 in the bank.

Behind her is Malverne Mayor Keith Corbett --endorsed by Nassau and state Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs-- who raised a total $400,703, spent almost $90,000 and had $310,838 in the bank on June 30 while Nassau Legis. Carrie Solages of Lawrence, who collected a total  $143,385. has $82,564 remaining.

Candidates Kevin Shakil and Muzibul Huc both have raised less than $100,000 each.

In District 3,  Santos has raised nearly $2 million during his two years campaigning, spent more than $1 million and had $917,807 in cash on June 30.

Santos describes himself as an "Economist | Philanthropist | Animal Advocate." on his facebook and twitter pages.

According to the FEC records, the District 3 Democratic candidate who has raised the most money through June 30 is Nassau Legis. Joshua Lafazan of Woodbury.

Lafazan was endorsed by Suozzi, who lost his bid last month to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to be the Democratic candidate for governor in November.

He has raised a total $1.535 million since announcing his candidacy soon after winning re-election to the county legislature last November. He has spent $647,250 and had $887,752 in the bank on June 30.

Close behind is Public Relations Executive Robert Zimmerman, who has raised a total $1.24 million, spent less than $500,000 and had $757,268 on hand.

Former North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman raised a total $582,271, spent $238,138 and had about $353,000 in the bank.

Three other Democrats have raised and spent money since becoming candidates.

Here are the contribution records from the FEC:

District 4:

*Siela Bynoe, Jason Abelove and William Staniford have dropped out of the race

District 3: