By Bianca Fortis
If the amount of campaign contributions a candidate receives is an indicator of political support, City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) is flexing her muscles in the 30th Council District race.
Crowley has received 652 contributions amounting to $148,313, according to campaign finance records. Craig Caruana, a Republican, has $31,317.78 in his war chest after receiving 377 contributions, records show.
For comparison, Crowley raised $94,716.63 in her 2009 campaign while her opponent, Thomas Ognibene, had raised $70,922, according to campaign finance records.
Crowley, who is seeking a second term, and Caruana will face off in the general election for the 30th District, which includes Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood and Woodhaven.
Both candidates are participating in the city’s public campaign financing program. Participants are capped at spending $168,000, according to the rules of the Campaign Finance Board. Both candidates said they will reach the cap once matching funds roll in after the primary election next week.
Crowley, who logged her first contributions in February 2010, received funds from several unions, including Transport Workers Local 100, Steamfitters Local 638 and SEIU Local 246, and a few political action committees, including the Rent Stabilization Association PAC.
Caruana, whose contributions are all from individuals, first recorded a contribution in January 2012.
Caruana said money is always an issue in a political race, but in this case, the difference in funds will not matter because both candidates are capped.
“I’ve never run for office before, but I’m still competitive in terms of money,” Caruana said. “I think that shows.”
Crowley said she is running on a record of accomplishment, not on how much she has raised.
“It will be based on an evaluation of my record and plans and vision for continuing that record in another term — that will be the main determination as to why someone would vote for me,” she said.
She said raising funds from district residents has never been difficult for her.
“That is not something that is going to distract me nor has it been something that has distracted me in the past,” she said.
Candidates who participate in the public campaign finance program receive $6 in public funds for every $1 in contributions, up to $175.
To qualify for matching funds, a candidate must receive 75 contributions from district residents and raise a minimum of $5,000. Only the first $175 of a contribution counts toward meeting that threshold, according to the rules.
The general election is Nov. 5.
Reach reporter Bianca Fortis by email at bfortis@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
