By Nathan Duke
State Sen. Serphin Maltese (R-Glendale) has raised significantly more money than City Councilman Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) in a bid to retain his seat, but the 10-term senator has also greatly outspent his challenger in the race, according to state Elections Board figures.
Maltese has raised $592,670 since January 2007, while Addabbo has raised $187,515 during that same period of time, according to the state Elections Board. But Maltese's expenditures during that same period of time were $479,139, while Addabbo spent only $60,898, according to the board.
Ozone Park attorney Albert Baldeo, a Democrat who lost to Maltese during the 2006 Senate race by a mere 900 votes and plans to challenge Addabbo in the September primary, has raised $96,151 since January 2007 and spent $20,428, according to the board.
Maltese's contributions include $5,000 from Long Island City's Silvercup Studios, $500 from Shops at Atlas Park owner Damon Hemmerdinger, $1,000 from the New York State Restaurant Association, $1,000 from Con Edison and varying amounts from a number of law enforcement groups, including the state Supreme Court Officers Association, the state Troopers Political Action Committee and the Suffolk County Detectives Association, as well as Manhattan and Queens residents, according to the board.
The state's Republican Senate Campaign Committee, which gave Maltese $229,500, was the senator's largest contributor.
Maltese's largest expenses since January 2007 include $228,800 in television advertisements, more than $17,000 in fund-raisers and over $15,000 in campaign-related printing, according to the board.
Addabbo's contributions included $1,000 from the Washington, D.C.-based Ironworkers Political Action League, $3,000 from the Addabbo & Greenberg law firm, varying amounts from a number of city unions, $100 from City Councilwoman Helen Sears (D-Jackson Heights), $250 from former Borough President Claire Shulman and money from district residents, according to the board.
Addabbo's largest contributor was the family of Manhattan philanthropist and global financier George Soros, which gave the councilman's campaign $19,000, according to the board.
The councilman's expenses since January 2007 included $41,860 in consulting and more than $6,400 for fund-raisers, according to the board.
Baldeo's largest contributors were family members, who gave a total of $24,000 to his campaign, as well as various brokerage, tax and limousine services, which each gave $2,000, according to the board.
Baldeo's expenses included $1,700 in consulting and $500 in campaign-related printing, according to the board. A majority of his expenses were petit cash.
The 15th Senate District, which includes Ridgewood, Maspeth, Middle Village, Glendale, Howard Beach, Woodside, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park and portions of Rego Park, Forest Hills, Woodhaven and Long Island City, has been held by a Republican since 1966.
Maltese won the seat in 1988, but only narrowly defeated Baldeo during the November 2006 election. Democrats believe negative public opinion of President George W. Bush will give them momentum to take the seat this fall, but a recent survey of 400 voters conducted by Maltese's campaign showed the senator had a 27-point lead over Addabbo.
Addabbo will be term-limited out of office in 2009. If he defeats Maltese in November, a special election will be held to fill his seat.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
