WXXI: Massa is Lead Campaign Fundraiser in Local U.S. House Races (2008-04-16)

According to the Federal Election Commission, candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York have raised more than 25-million dollars -- and spent more than 14-million since January of 2007.

In the Rochester area, the top fund raiser so far is Democrat Eric Massa of Corning. He's a Democrat running against Republican incumbent Randy Kuhl in the 29th District. Massa has raised 620-thousand dollars according to FEC filings. A second Democrat -- David Nachbar -- has raised about 215-thousand. Congressman Kuhl has raised more than half a million dollars for his re-election bid.

David Primo is a professor of political science at the University of Rochester and author of several articles about campaign financing and campaign finance reform. He says this degree of fund raising is not at all unusual. Primo says candidates have to show they can raise significant amounts of money to be taken seriously -- and in competitive races such as those to replace incumbents Jim Walsh and Tom Reynolds, donations equate roughly to voter support.

Primo says Americans expect "robust campaigns." That means lots of advertising and campaign events, and they cost a lot of of money.

The second-biggest fund raiser in area congressional campaigns is Syracuse Democrat Dan Maffei. He's raised more than half a million dollars for his second attempt to win the 25th District seat. Republican Jim Walsh is retiring, leaving the seat open.

Republican Peter Cappuccilli's financial disclosure reports haven't been posted yet, and neither have independent candidate Christina Rosetti's.

Third-strongest financially is Fairport Democrat Louise Slaughter. She's running for re-election in the 28th District. So far she doesn't have a declared opponent. The commission says she's raised nearly 385-thousand dollars and has more than 449-thousand in her campaign war chest.

In the 26th District, incumbent Republican Tom Reynolds isn't seeking re-election. Three Democrats are campaigning for the nomination. Amherst Attorney Alice Kryzan has raised about 210-thousand dollars and has 155-thousand dollars available. Iraq War veteran Jon Powers raised 369-thousand and has 261-thousand dollars cash on hand. Businessman Jack Davis's statement hasn't posted yet.

Several Republicans are considering that race including Iraq war veteran and author David Bellavia. None of their disclosure statements has been posted yet by the FEC.

Statewide, Democrats are leading in fundraising. They've taken in just more than 19-million in campaign donations, and Republicans about six-million.