The 2nd quarter fundraising reports for candidates has just been released. As part of a coordinated look at NY state seats in play (for list of other blogs, see the end of this post), this report concerns the effort to retire Sue Kelly, the Republican House member from the 19th Congressional District (Northern Westchester, Putnam, Duchess, Orange and Rockland counties) See Map:

http://www.judy4congress.com/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=47

Kelly a key Bush ally and long time partisan of the War in Iraq, has voting record rated at 13% for a Grade of F from the Drum Major Institute http://www.drummajorinstitute.com/congress/outerenvelope_house.htm and for votes for the “USA Patriot Act and others, her opposition to civil liberties has earned her a life-time score of 21% from the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Freedom Scorecard http://action.aclu.org/site/VoteCenter?page=voteList .

Kelly won re-election in 2004 easily, even though New Yorkers voted for Kerry:

U.S. House -- New York District 19
Updated 11/24/04 1:59 AM ET
Precincts:100% Incumbent* declared winner

Candidates Votes %

Sue W. Kelly * (R)
164,356 67
Michael Jaliman (D)
82,269 33

(From the Washington Post)

The NYS Board of Elections reports that Republicans narrowly out number Democrats in the 19th District: by 156,516 to 140,644 http://www.elections.state.ny.us/NYSBOE/enrollment/congress/congress_apr06.htm

However, this year, disapproval of President Bush has, in New York, reached epic proportions. Survey USA reports, for example that NY approval/disapproval ratings for President Bush are currently at 28%/70% -- with NYC Suburbs at 37%/61% with upstate voters at 29%/69% http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=dc7e0dc6-6592-4303-9a6b-298076314c8e While Polling Report.com says House Republicans in general are strongly disapproved of (A/D = 25/72 in recent Harris Poll and 31/42 in LA Times/Bloomberg poll http://pollingreport.com/cong_rep.htm

The bad news for Republicans in general has lead to spirited primary for progressive Democrats seeking to run against Kelly including Health Lawyer Judy Aydelott , folk/rock performer John Hall , Bronx Legal Aid Attorney Jim Martorano , political consultant Darren Rigger and NYC Public School Principal Ben Shuldiner .

Money talks in this race: the Federal Election Commission reports on fundraising for this quarter are as follows:

AYDELOTT, JUDITH A; Net Raised: $634,020 Spent: $289,677 On Hand $344,344 Debts $33,000 As of:06/30/2006

HALL, JOHN JOSEPH; Net Raised $421,817 Spent $200,982 On Hand $220,835 Debts,$41,762 As of 06/30/2006

KELLY, SUE W; Net Raised, $1,431,202 Spent $544,138 On Hand $1,207,757 Debts $111,544 As of 06/30/2006
MARTORANO, JAMES J; Net Raised $40,432 Spent $32,899 On Hand $7,532 Debts $0 As of 06/30/2006
RIGGER, DARREN J; Net Raised $100,461 Spent $81,317 On Hand $19,143 Debts $20,000 As of, 06/30/2006

SHULDINER, BENJAMIN OLIVER, Net Raised $188,957, Spent $77,140 On Hand, $111,816 Debts $0 As of 06/30/2006.

http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/cancomsrs/?_06+NY+19 (I’ve edited out the entries for candidates of past years but you can see them at the web site.)

Ms. Kelly with 1. 2 Million cash on hand, clearly leads in the money race. Interestingly Aydellot and Hall have raised significant amounts for a primary. Perhaps to be expected, Hall's individual contributors include a moderate number of well-known performers like Pete Seeger, Bruce Springseen etc. (He's also been endorsed by 1199.) The only candidate who seems financially not viable from this report is Mr. Martorano, although Mr. Rigger may also be too far behind in fund raising.

For reports on other races:

CD13 -- http://ny13.blogspot.com
CD19 -- http://dailygotham.com/blog/daniel_millstone
CD20 -- http://www.democracyinalbany.com
CD23 -- http://www.bobaubin.com
CD24 -- http://wfpjournal.blogspot.com
CD26 -- http://joancollinslambert.typepad.com/work_related
CD29 -- http://www.rochesterturning.com
CD19 -- http://take19.blogspot.com
CD25 -- http://thewalshwatch.blogspot.com