By James DeWeese
Among the key positions up for grabs in the Nov. 8 citywide elections are the mayorality – for which three Queens politicians appear poised to run – the borough presidency and all city council seats. This year's contest also will be the testing ground for major revisions to the campaign finance laws, which govern the city's generous matching-funds program.
U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Kew Gardens), an outspoken critic of what he calls Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Manhattan-centric city view, has not officially declared his candidacy for the September Democratic mayoral primary but has moved more than $225,000 from his congressional campaign fund into his city war chest. As of Tuesday, Weiner's city campaign fund had taken in some $1.5 million. He spent $120,161.
City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) also has made mayoral noises since announcing his unlikely candidacy for the Democratic nomination in front of a firehouse last year. In his campaign finance filings, however, he has listed himself as a candidate for re-election to his 19th District Council seat.
On the other side of the political fence, Middle Village Republican Thomas Ognibene, a former city councilman, has formally registered his candidacy for mayor with the Campaign Finance Board. As of Tuesday, Ognibene had taken a $1,000 loan and spent $106, according to campaign finance filings.
Despite a matching-funds program aimed at leveling the playing field, any contenders for Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg's job face an uphill battle. The self-made multibillionnaire spent about $74 million in his last campaign.
As in years past, the city's matching-funds program will offer candidates a baseline of $4 for every $1 raised from New York residents, said Molly Watkins, press secretary for the Campaign Finance Board. Only the first $250 from each contributor will be matched, meaning candidates can receive as much as $1,000 in matching funds for each one of their contributors.
But a new City Council law passed over Bloomberg's veto has raised the matching funds ratio for candidates facing financially well-off opponents who opt out of the program and the spending limits it imposes, Watkins said. Prior to Bloomberg's veto, these candidates received $5 in city money for every $1 for each of the first $250 raised from New York residents. In some cases, they can now receive as much as $6 for every $1 depending on how much their non-participating opponents spend. If the candidate qualifies for the 6-to-1 financing, spending limits are also lifted.
The following is a quick look at some of the Queens candidates who have filed information with the city Campaign Finance Board. All filings are as of Tuesday except where the most recent information was not available:
* Borough President – As of July 15, 2004, incumbent Borough President Helen Marshall had raised $149,956 from 469 contributors. She had spent $27,965.
* 19th Council District – City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside), a potential mayoral contender, had raised $101,030 for his City Council re-election campaign.
* 23rd CD – David DiPadova, a contender for City Councilman David Weprin's Hollis seat, has raised $2,223 from 18 contributors and spent $1,781. As of July 15, 2004, Weprin, a Democrat, had raised more than $380,000 between contributions and monies from his election committee. As of that date, Weprin had spent $72,547.
* 24th CD – City Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) faces Renee Lobo. Gennaro had raised $65,284 and spent $44,634. Lobo had raised $18,122 and spent none.
* 25th CD – Bryan Pu-Folkes had raised $29,955 from 231 donors in his bid to unseat incumbent City Councilwoman Helen Sears (D-Jackson Heights). Sears had not filed any paperork with the Campaign Finance Board.
* 28th CD – According to campaign finance data, Albert Baldeo had registered as a contender for controversial Jamaica City Councilman Allan Jenning's seat. Baldeo's campaign showed receipts of $5,776 from 16 contributors and a loan of $3,000. He has spent $4,150. Jennings had not filed any paperwork with the Campaign Finance Board.
* 29th CD – City Councilwoman Melinda Katz (D-Forest Hills) had raised $321,884 from 367 contributors and spent $85,135. Her only declared opponent, Joseph Nocerino, did not file any receipts or expenditures.
This story has been changed to reflect the correct first name of former Middle Village City Councilman Thomas Ognibene. The TimesLedger regrets the error.
Reach reporter James DeWeese by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 157.
