The 109th Assembly District race to succeed longtime Assemblyman Jack McEneny remains crowded as six Democrats are officially on the ballot for September’s primary.
Albany County Board of Elections Commission Matt Clyne said none of the signatures filed by candidates have been challenged by rivals, and fundraising has begun as candidates filed their first financial disclosure reports on Monday, July 16. In total, the Democrats have collectively raised about $265,000.
Candidates are vying to represent the southwestern parts of the city of Albany and the towns of Guilderland, New Scotland and Bethlehem after district lines were redrawn for this year.
County Legislator Christopher Higgins is leading the pack in fundraising having raised about $73,000 as of the filing deadline. The campaign announced an additional $2,000 raised late in the week. Joe Bonilla, a spokesman for Higgins’ campaign, said they are seeing “broad-based support from throughout the district.”
“We’re on the right track,” he said. “People in the 109th will recognize (Higgins) is the most independent, progressive, hard working candidate they can ask for.”
His biggest support has come from Olde Saratoga Coin in Albany, who donated $2,200, and a Bayside resident who donated about $4,000. An additional fundraiser at the Bayou Café on Pearl Street in Albany was scheduled for Friday, July 20, hosted by the band Black Mountain Symphony.
Assistant Attorney General William MCarthy Jr. only slightly trails Higgins in funds with about $70,000 raised, but he has spent less so far then his opponent has. He still has about $61,000 on hand. His major supporters so far have been Worldwide Express Shipping in Albany with a $4,100 donation and Council 82, the Law Enforcement Officers Union, with the same amount.
“I think I’m doing very well for a first-time candidate,” McCarthy said. “I received six union endorsements … and got a ton of signatures. I’m very happy with where we are right now. I think people are ready for a fresh face on the political scene and that’s been demonstrated by the support we’ve seen around here.”
Patricia Fahy, a former Albany School Board member, had the third-largest take with $69,000 raised.
Some have criticized Clyne has for endorsing Fahy and called on him to distance himself from any Board of Elections business involving the race. He is also chairman of the Albany County and Bethlehem Democratic committees.
“My position is totally academic at this point since there will be no rulings (from the Board of Elections),” he said in response. “It’s really just an effort to promote the person making the claim. I can back whomever I want.”
Fahy has given substantial support to her own campaign with a $10,000 donation and a $10,000 loan.
In May, Albany County Legislator Frank Commisso dropped out of the race, with his place taken by his son, Commisso Jr. He has raised about $45,000, with the largest donations coming from two Albany residents at $4,000 each, his father’s Friends of Frank Commisso committee at $2,000 and Capital Hill Management in Albany at $1,000.
Margarita Perez, a political newcomer who works as a state legislative aide, has raised $5,000 with about $3,000 left on hand, while candidate James Coyne has yet to form a committee.
Republican candidate Ted Danz filed a “no activity” statement for his campaign and Conservative candidate Joe Sullivan has yet to file a financial report. Candidates do not need to file reports if they have raised less than $1,000.
“We’re concentrating on our grass root efforts,” said Guilderland Republican Committee Chairman Matt Nelligan, who is acting as a spokesperson for Danz. “He will be making significant contributions to his own campaign. It makes him beholden to no one.”
Danz and Fahy will primary on the Independence Party line. Nelligan said they were proud Danz was one of only two candidates who qualified as an Independent because of the size of the race.
“Make no mistake, we will have plenty of resources to fight out the Independence primary and win the General Election in November,” he said.
