Gov. Kathy Hochul has big early lead in fundraising for reelection

ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul has an early commanding lead in campaign contributions over her Democratic primary opponent and two Republicans who are considering a general election challenge next year, according to state and federal elections records.

Filings released this week show Hochul had $17.4 million on hand to Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado’s $82,674 as of Tuesday. The reports, which cover January to mid-June, are the first since Delgado began campaigning. 

Hochul has a record as a prodigious fundraiser, and incumbent governors usually have a big edge in financial resources over challengers so early in a race. But Delgado's underdog campaign attracted a few donors who previously contributed to Hochul’s campaigns, state Board of Elections records show.

Delgado is a former upstate congressman whom Hochul chose as her lieutenant governor and running mate in 2022. But Delgado broke with Hochul on some issues and called for a more progressive agenda.

Now Delgado seeks to be the state’s second Black governor after David A. Paterson, who ascended to the seat from lieutenant governor when Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in 2008 amid sexual harassment accusations.

Hank Sheinkopf, a 40-year veteran political strategist, said early fundraising comparisons don't necessarily predict outcomes but can provide hints of the race to come.

Sheinkopf said contributors who switch from Hochul to Delgado are hedging their bets and "warning the governor."

"Some contributing to Delgado are saying. ‘Anyone but Hochul’ to anyone who might care," Sheinkopf said in an interview.

"Lieutenant governors? They never raise money against a governor," Sheinkopf said. "Besting the governor in a Democrat party primary? Highly unlikely. However, the rise of the left in New York City is likely to assist Republicans, and Democratic dissension now could mean Republican gains later."

The potential Republican contenders include Rep. Mike Lawler, of Pearl River, who has $2.2 million in his congressional campaign account; and Rep. Elise Stefanik, of Schuylerville, who has $10 million in her congressional campaign account, according to Federal Election Commission records.

State campaign records available Tuesday show Hochul raised $4.3 million between January and mid-June to Delgado’s $120,369. 

The Hochul campaign said the early filings show her momentum.

"In the last six months, Gov. Kathy Hochul has seen grassroots support pour in from every single county in the state as she fights back against Donald Trump and delivers real progress toward a safer, more affordable New York," said Preston Elliott, Hochul’s campaign manager.

A Siena College poll this month showed Hochul at least 20 points ahead of Delgado and the top Republicans considering a run. But Hochul also is saddled with a favorability rating among voters of just 42%, compared with 47% of voters who have an unfavorable view of her. 

Delgado’s campaign said its fundraising is a "powerful early showing." Campaign spokesman Steven Ileka noted  the records show Delgado spent $1 million of his contributions in the last six months, which reduced his cash. During the period, Hochul’s campaign spent $1.8 million.

"This campaign is being built by people who are fed up with a system that protects the powerful and leaves everyone else scrambling," Ileka said in a written statement. "After launching the campaign just six weeks ago, today’s filing shows real momentum and that we have the resources we need to communicate Antonio’s vision for bold, transformational change."

By Michael Gormley

michael.gormley@newsday.com@GormleyAlbany

Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.