By Steve Mosco
As he awaits a Republican challenger to be chosen by voters for his state Senate seat, Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) is gearing up for the November election after disclosing his campaign finances.
Seeking a third term in the 15th Senate District, Addabbo received a total of $208,256 in campaign contributions since 2011, according to a state Board of Elections campaign finance disclosure report. The same report says the senator received more than $147,000 between January and August 2012, and he spent more than $58,000 during that time.
Some noted contributors to the senator’s re-election bid include the Correction Officers Benevolent Association, which gave Addabbo $9,500, and Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers, who contributed $4,000, both contributing in July.
Addabbo’s most generous donors come from the state’s gaming industry. Genting New York LLC, which developed the Resorts World casino at the Aqueduct race track in South Ozone Park, made two contributions to the senator’s campaign: $3,000 in April and $2,300 in July.
Michael Speller, president of Resorts World New York, made his own contribution of $2,000 in June. The senator also received $1,000 from the New York Gaming Association in June.
According to the disclosure report, Addabbo spent campaign contributions mainly on print ads and fund-raising expenditures.
While running for Senate District 15 — which covers Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth and parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Rego Park and Sunnyside — endorsements have rolled in for Addabbo, including one from a women’s advocacy organization, NARAL Pro-Choice New York. The organization cited Addabbo’s commitment to women’s rights as the reason for the endorsement.
“Joe has fought for every possible piece of legislation that would improve the lives of women and families in Queens and across New York,” said Andrea Miller, president of NARAL. “These are trying times for progressive, pro-woman, pro-choice issues in the state Senate, and we need to ensure that Sen. Addabbo, one of the true champions for women’s health and well-being, remains in Albany.”
Addabbo said he makes women’s issues a top priority and it is important to keep the state government defending the rights of all its citizens.
“It is unacceptable that in 2012 women’s rights are still being threatened,” said Addabbo. “The women in the 15th District and throughout New York deserve a state senator who will fight for them. We should be going forwards, not backwards.”
City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) is facing GOP-backed Forest Hills lawyer Juan Reyes and Independence Party head Joe Tiraco in the Sept. 13 primary election. The winner will face Addabbo this November.
Reach reporter Steve Mosco by e-mail at smosco@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
