With Election Day just days away, campaigns are entering the final 96 hours, when they will focus on getting out the vote and making their closing arguments to voters before Tuesday.
As indicated by the TV commercials blanketing the airwaves, the robo calls (of questionable effectiveness) filling answering machines and flyers flooding mailboxes, candidates need money to get their message out in these crucial last days.
In three of the closest-watched races in Queens, the Republican candidates have a substantial cash-on-hand advantage over their Democratic rivals, according to the latest filings at the State Board of Elections.
In the 26th Assembly District, Republican attorney Vince Tabone is well positioned to finish strong and recapture this seat for the GOP. According to Tabone’s latest disclosure report, he has over $80,000 left in his account, having raised $105,000 and spent $24,000 this year. Democrat Ed Braunstein, a former aide to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, has $12,661 on hand in his 11-day pre-general disclosure. He has raised $220,000 this year, but spent around $190,000 on winning a hotly contested four-way primary.
Meanwhile, in the 11th Senatorial District, Senator Frank Padavan has raised $227,000 this cycle and has $148,351 cash on hand. Democratic former City Councilmember Tony Avella has raised $268,000 this year but has only $26,000 left in his account.
Also, in the 15th Senatorial District, former Republican City Councilmember Anthony Como has raised $259,000 with $113,000 left in his account, ahead of Senator Joseph Addabbo, who has raised $215,000 and has $46,000 cash on hand.
Elsewhere, as expected, incumbents have a substantial fundraising advantage over challengers. For instance, Senator Jose Peralta has $97,000 on hand, far outpacing rival Richard La Salle, who has just $1,100 in his account. Congressmember Gary Ackerman has $850,000 cash on hand, while Republican James Milano has just $10,000 in his account, according to the latest Federal Election Commission filings.
As my last column before the election, predictions are in order. Since my tagline suggests any predictions on Queens races are not objective, I’ll just make a prediction nationally: Republicans will gain 44 seats in the House and seven in the Senate. I will concede, though, that my bet on the Florida Senate race is looking bad, unless Crist can turn it around.
And of course, make sure you vote on Tuesday. Polls are open from 6am to 9pm.
Daniel Egers is executive director of the Queens Republican Party and an advisor to the Assembly campaign of Vince Tabone.
