By Anna Gustafson
When U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Forest Hills) runs for Congress, he shoots for the stars.
The six-term incumbent, who is vying for his congressional seat against Republican challenger Bob Turner, has landed financial support from some in Hollywood, according to Weiner’s July 15 filings with the Federal Election Commission.
Turner did not file 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 landed $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.
He drew support in Queens and Brooklyn and received $4,800 from former Assemblyman Jimmy Meng, owner of the Queens Lumber Co., in Flushing. Bayside resident Shunwai Wu also gave $4,800 and Flushing resident Xiuyan Xia gave $4,500. Tiger Creation Development in Flushing donated $4,800.
Unions also threw their weight behind Weiner. The Washington, D.C.-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers gave him $10,000, as did the Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York and Long Island Political Action Committee. The Delta Airlines PAC in D.C. donated $2,000.
Of the $146,582 Weiner spent, $36,900 went toward the Manhattan-based Benenson Strategy Group for polling consulting. A payment for $4,446 went toward catering from Ambrosia, a Malibu, Calif.-based company, June 14.
U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) has raised a total $2.5 million in her bid to retain the congressional seat 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.
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.
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e-mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
