By Howard Koplowitz
As the borough’s congressional delegation prepares for primary and general elections next year, U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) has raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars in the last three months and is sitting on almost $1 million, according to the latest campaign finance disclosures from the Federal Election Commission.
Crowley, who is also chairman of the Queens Democratic Party, has faced criticism for picking state Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) to run to replace Rep. Anthony Weiner, who resigned because of a sexting scandal. Weprin was defeated by Republican Bob Turner in the special election held last month.
In the three-month period that ended Saturday, Crowley raised $327,517 for his campaign, spent more than $200,000 and has $933,462 on hand, according to the FEC filings.
A large chunk of Crowley’s expenses went toward supporting political candidates and committees, including $21,000 to the state Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee, $25,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and $2,000 to Weprin’s failed congressional bid.
Depending on how congressional lines are drawn, Turner’s central and western Queens district may be eliminated and he may face Crowley in a general election next November.
Turner has only $65,500 in his campaign account, the second-lowest amount of the borough’s congressional representatives. He spent $350,362 to defeat Weprin and raised more than $2.8 million for the race.
Another possible foe for Turner is Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside), who has more than $596,000 in his campaign account. Ackerman raised $48,585 in the three-month period and spent $38,989.
His campaign spent $5,000 on a Mercer Island, Wash.-based fund-raising consultant and paid more than $8,000 on an American Express bill.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) has the second-largest campaign war chest of the borough’s representatives with more than $800,000 on hand. Records showed Maloney raised $132,163 from mid-August to mid-October and spent $102,549.
Maloney’s campaign paid more than $6,000 for an American Express bill and $4,700 to the Roosevelt Hotel for use of a sound system.
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) has only $47,564 in his campaign account, the lowest among the Queens congressional delegation. Meeks raised $91,000 and spent $77,595.
His campaign spent nearly $6,000 to repair a car and spent more than $20,000 for legal services and $25,000 on fund-raising consultants.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
