By Nathan Duke and Anna Gustafson
U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) and Anthony Weiner (D-Forest Hills) have raised more in campaign funds and outspent their opponents in their bids to retain their House seats, according to the July 15 filings with the Federal Election Commission.
Maloney has raised a total of $2.5 million in her campaign for the 14th Congressional District, which she has held since 1993, according to FEC filings. She has spent more than $1.5 million on her campaign.
Maloney’s Democratic opponent, Reshma Saujani, has just under $1.2 million in contributions and has spent an estimated $768,000, FEC filings show for the 2009-10 cycle that ended June 30.
The race’s two Republicans, Dino Laverghetta and David Ryan Brumberg, have both raised more than $88,000, and each spent an estimated $35,000.
The 14th Congressional District includes Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, parts of Woodside and much of Manhattan’s East Side.
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.
