City Council Speaker Christine Quinn Leads In Fundraising Race
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As she continues to enjoy political victories, Council Speaker Christine Quinn is currently ahead of all the potential mayoral candidates in terms of fundraising. NY1’s Courtney Gross filed the following report.Coming off a few successful weeks, Council Speaker Christine Quinn just got more good news: She appears to be leading the potential mayoral pack in the race for campaign cash.
Monday was the latest fundraising deadline for possible 2013 candidates, and according to early figures, the speaker is setting the pace.
In the last six months, Quinn raised about $1.32 million, according to a campaign official, far ahead of other confirmed and likely mayoral candidates.
Public Advocate Bill de Blasio came in second with $675,000, and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer in third.
Former Comptroller Bill Thompson rounded out the pack.
Other potential candidates, like Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Comptroller John Liu did not provide details of their latest campaign activity. The official filing deadline is Friday.
For now, Thompson doesn't fear lagging behind.
"I was always able, whether I was running for mayor or was running for comptroller, I was always able to raise the money necessary to have a strong campaign,” said Thompson. “I am not worried about that."
As the money race goes full steam ahead, this filing deadline brought some newcomers to the race, including another media executive.
Tom Allon, the head of a local newspaper chain, declared his candidacy Tuesday morning. The Democrat has yet to raise any money.
"'I've been in business for many years. I know how to raise money. I know how to ask for money," said Allon.
Political consultant Hank Sheinkopf said it's way too early to count anyone out.
"People should take everyone seriously, including Tom Allon,” said Sheinkopf. “Why? We are two years away from an event, nobody knows what's going to happen and three minutes in politics is akin to 300 years to anyone else."
With two years to go until the primary, it's likely any competitive candidate planning to partake in the city public finance system will come close to reaching its $6.4 million primary limit. The question then becomes how quickly they spend it.