By Nathan Duke and Anna Gustafson
U.S. Reps. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) and Anthony Weiner (D-Forest Hills) have far outpaced their opponents in fund-raising for their re-election campaigns, according to the July 15 filings with the Federal Election Commission.
Ackerman, who first took office in 1983, has brought in $839,000 in contributions and spent $864,000, FEC filings show for the period that ended June 30.
Ackerman’s Republican opponents include attorney Elizabeth Berney, who has raised more than $35,000 and spent $4,000, James Milano, who has raised nearly $63,000 and spent just under $17,000, and Gonzalo Policarpio, who has not raised or spent any money, according to the FEC.
His district includes Bayside, Corona, Flushing, Jamaica Estates, Whitestone, Douglaston, Little Neck and portions of Long Island.
Weiner, a six-term incumbent, has landed support from Hollywood in his re-election bid against Republican challenger Bob Turner, who has not filed with the FEC. Candidates who have spent or received less than $5,000 do not have to file with the federal government.
Rob Reiner, a high-profile director of such films as “Stand By Me” and “The Princess Bride,” and Jami Gertz, a Beverly Hills actress who starred in “The Lost Boys” and “Twister,” have each given $1,000 to Weiner’s bid to once again represent the 9th Congressional District. Michael McKnight, a musician from California who listed his employer as singer Mariah Carey, gave $250 to Weiner.
In total, Weiner has a little more than $700,000 in cash on hand and raised $230,689 from April 1 to June 30. During the same time, he spent $146,582.
The district covers Bayside, Briarwood, Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Hillcrest, Howard Beach, Jamaica Hills, Kew Gardens, Maspeth, Middle Village, Oakland Gardens, Ozone Park, Rego Park, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, Rockaway Park, Rockaway Point, Woodhaven and parts of Brooklyn.
Turner did not return a request for comment as to how much he has raised. He has held fund-raisers throughout the district and said in a previous interview he is working hard to get his name out in a heavily Democratic district.
Of the $230,689 Weiner raised in the last campaign finance period, he received $113,810 from individuals throughout the country — including $1,000 from Marc Mezvinsky, who is expected to marry Chelsea Clinton later this month. Weiner recently married Huma Abedin, a longtime aide to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e-mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
