By Anna Gustafson
State Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills) has raised more than the Democrat and Republican challenging him for his seat in Albany, according to the July 15 filings with the state Board of Elections.
Hevesi, who has served the district since winning office in a special election in 2005, raised $59,323 in the last campaign finance period, which ran from January to July. Democratic challenger Joe Fox, an attorney from Forest Hills, is not far behind with $54,186 in his war chest. Republican candidate Alex Powietrzynski of Forest Hills raised $2,316.
The three candidates are vying to represent the 28th Assembly District, which covers Forest Hills, Rego Park, Middle Village and Glendale.
Hevesi, also a Forest Hills resident, received financial support from a number of elected officials, unions, insurance companies, energy groups and individuals, according to the filing. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s (D-Manhattan) Friends of Silver gave Hevesi $3,800, the most out of any other single contribution given to the elected official.
U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner’s (D-Forest Hills) Friends of Weiner donated $1,000 to Hevesi, as did the re-election group for Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria). City Councilwoman Nettie Mayersohn’s (D-Flushing) group gave $300, Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz’s gave $250 and Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan’s (D-Ridgewood) gave $100.
Hevesi spent $39,783 in the last filing period, including $13,500 to the Brooklyn-based Red Horse Strategies Consulting firm. He spent $650 on a fund-raiser at Woodhaven House in Rego Park and much of the money went to expense reimbursements for staff and wages.
Much of Fox’s $54,186 came from law firms throughout the city and state. The Law Offices of John P. Dimascio in Garden City, L.I., gave $916, the Manhattan-based Leo Fox Attorney at Law donated $750 and Barry S. Seidel gave $650. Sheldon Fox of Oceanside, L.I., gave more than $13,000. A number of residents from Forest Hills and outside the district gave money, including a chunk from individuals in St. James on Long Island.
Fox spent $37,209, including $21,015 on the Manhattan-based Progressive Strategies group. The money went toward what was listed as “professional” services.
Another $4,800 went to Golden Sunny Association to rent office space, and the rest of the money went to items like phone bills and office items.
Powietrzynski, who is about to take the New York bar exam, garnered much of his support from individuals, including people in Forest Hills, other parts of the city and one from Ohio. He received $20 from Vikrum Vora of Ohio.
The largest donation he received was $500 from Andrew Kohut of Forest Hills.
Powietrzynski spent $620, including $400 that went to David Haywood of the Bronx for what was listed as “professional” services. Another $162 went to vistaprint.com for campaign literature and much of the rest of the money went to small items like office supplies.
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e-mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
