By Nathan Duke
Democrat Kevin Kim has raised more than three times the amount of money than Republican Dan Halloran in the race to replace City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside), but Halloran’s participation in the city’s matching funds program has multiplied his fund-raising efforts by six times since September’s Democratic primary, according to city campaign finance records.
Bayside’s Kim, who defeated his five Democratic opponents in the Sept. 15 primary, has raised $324,841 and spent$328,759. The Democrat, who formerly worked as U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman’s (D-Bayside) deputy director of community affairs, is not taking part in the city’s matching funds program, which matches contributions to candidates under $175 by as much as six times.
Whitestone’s Halloran, an attorney who is a partner at the Long Island firm Palmieri, Castiglione & Halloran and chairman of the state Republican Liberty Caucus, has raised $28,057 as well as $71,541 through the matching funds program. He has spent a total of $36,757.
Kim had raised $288,756 immediately following the September primary, while Halloran had raised $16,340 at that time.
Both candidates have received their share of endorsements.
Kim was given the nod by Ackerman, Councilmen John Liu (D-Flushing), Eric Gioia (D-Sunnyside), David Weprin (D-Hollis) and Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn), who recently won the Democratic nomination in the city’s public advocate race as well as state Assembly members Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria), Grace Meng (D-Flushing), Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows) and Mark Weprin (D-Little Neck).
He also has the support of U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), state Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Whitestone), former Borough President Claire Shulman, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, the Local 500 union and the Citizens Union, a city civic organization that promotes good government.
Halloran has been endorsed by state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose), the Queens County Republican Party, former Councilman Mike Abel and the New York City District Council of Carpenters and Joiners.
The opponents will next face off at the East Bayside Homeowners Association’s candidates night Oct. 24, which will also include Borough President Helen Marshall and her opponent, Republican Robert Hornack.
Avella, first elected to the Council in 2001, opted to run in the mayoral race rather than seek a third term in his seat. But he was defeated by city Comptroller Bill Thompson during the Democratic primary.
The 19th Council District seat covers Bayside, Auburndale, Little Neck, Douglaston, Whitestone, East Flushing, Malba and College Point.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
