Suozzi leads LI's House candidates in funding ahead of primary

WASHINGTON — Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi has cracked $5 million in fundraising for his reelection bid, while a potential GOP foe has taken in nearly $1 million since entering the race in February and gained the backing of President Donald Trump.

New candidate reports hint at a potentially pricey contest this fall for New York’s 3rd Congressional District seat — if Suozzi and Republican Michael LiPetri can get past lesser-funded primary opponents.

But while LiPetri is showing fundraising traction, "he might need to find a payload full of gold" if he does win the GOP nomination, said Lawrence Levy, executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University.

Levy said Suozzi’s incumbent advantages in name recognition and fundraising will be tough to match in a district where attracting independent voters is essential — yet competing in a GOP primary has required underscoring that LiPetri is Trump’s choice.

Fundraising details from Long Island congressional primary candidates are reflected in new Federal Election Commission reports that cover April 1 to June 3, ahead of the June 23 primaries. There is no primary in the 2nd District, where incumbent Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) and Democrat Patrick Halpin, of Oak Beach, are running.

District 3

Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) now totals more than $5.02 million raised for his reelection effort, including $887,543 since April 1, his new filing shows. Suozzi’s campaign has spent $1.67 million, including $461,818 since April 1. That leaves him with nearly $5.5 million in the bank, counting money he stowed before this election cycle.

LiPetri, of Farmingdale, has raised $189,999 since April 1 and spent $157,750 since then, bringing his total raised during this congressional race to $993,323. His committee reported $722,388 in the bank as of June 3.

Meanwhile, LiPetri’s mostly self-funded GOP primary foe, Gregory Hach, of Oyster Bay, has raised $1,391 since April 1 and $26,876 overall from the start of his campaign. But relying on $500,000 in personal loans, his campaign has spent nearly $210,000 since April 1 — and $477,697 overall. The campaign reported $58,414 in the bank as of June 3.

Suozzi’s Democratic primary opponent, Danielle Welch, of Bayside, Queens, has brought in $18,520 since April 1, bringing her total raised to $45,809. She has spent $28,289 since April 1, and $38,004 altogether, leaving $7,805 as of June 3.

District 4

Hempstead Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll, a Republican, has raised $187,761 since her mid-April entry into the race for the congressional seat held by freshman Democrat Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre), which lies entirely in Nassau County. Driscoll reported spending less than $5,000 as of the filing and had $182,823 in the bank as of June 3.

Her largely self-funded GOP primary foe, Marvin Williams, of Garden City, reported raising $2,318 since April 1 while spending $43,678, which was made possible by providing his campaign with a $40,000 loan. Williams overall has provided his campaign $116,000 in loans and has spent $126,875, leaving $3,206 in the bank.

Gillen has no party challenger. Her committee reported raising $401,501 since April 1, bringing her total this election cycle to $4.6 million. She has spent $220,670 since April 1, and $1.3 million altogether, leaving her campaign with $3.42 million as of June 1.

District 1

Democrat Chris Gallant, of Amity Harbor, reported raising $91,983 and spending $82,633 since April 1. From the start of his campaign, he has raised $515,865 and spent $434,125, with $81,740 left on June 3.

Democrat Lukas Ventouras, of Northport, reported raising $17,287 and spending $32, 304 since April 1. He reported having $21,345 left in the bank on June 3.

Meanwhile, incumbent Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) does not face a primary challenger. His campaign reported raising $172,117 since April 1 while spending $192,053. He’s raised $3.34 million this election cycle altogether and had $2.98 million on hand as of June 3.