By Nathan Duke
The four Democrats and two Republicans vying for state Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza’s (D-Bayside) seat this fall have raised a combined total of nearly $300,000 in their bids, with several candidates pulling in a few thousand while others are nearing the $100,000 mark, according to state campaign finance records.
The assemblywoman announced earlier this year she would not run for another term this fall and, within a few weeks, as many as 11 candidates were eyeing her seat.
But only six contenders are now competing for the Democratic and Republican slots in the Sept. 14 primary.
The race’s Democrats include Edward Braunstein, who works as a legislative assistant for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan); Bayside attorney Steve Behar, who ran in the race to replace former City Councilman Tony Avella last year; John Duane, a former assemblyman in the district and brother of state Sen. Tom Duane (D-Manhattan); and Whitestone attorney Elio Forcina.
The Republicans in the race are Vince Tabone, an attorney for John Catsimitidis’ Manhattan-based Red Apple Group, and Rob Speranza, a former city police officer who ran against Carrozza in 2008.
Braunstein, who has been endorsed by the Queen Democratic Party, has raised the most in the race with more than $109,000, according to state campaign finance records. He has spent $41,000 on his campaign.
Forcina has spent $45,000 in the race so far, which is more than any other candidate. He has received an estimated $48,500 in contributions. Duane has raised more than $17,000 and spent an estimated $4,000, while Behar has raised more than $12,000 and spent about $2,300.
Tabone’s contributions total more than $93,000, but he has spent an estimated $9,900. Speranza has brought in more than $3,000. But campaign finance records did not list any expenditures for his campaign so far.
In what is sure to be a heated contest, state Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) is once again facing Glen Oaks Village President Bob Friedrich in the Democratic primary.
Weprin and Friedrich faced off for the seat in a special election in February to replace City Councilman Mark Weprin in a race best known for a mailing accusing Friedrich as being soft on hate crimes that featured a swastika behind crime scene tape.
The district covers Little Neck, Oakland Gardens, Bayside, Glen Oaks, Floral Park and Bellerose.
Weprin has raised more than $216,000 for his re-election bid this year, while Friedrich has raised $23,000, although those totals include money the two raised for the February election.
This year Weprin spent more than $147,000 and Friedrich $34,000 – the majority of which was for the February contest.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
