New York Republicans hold a huge fund-raising advantage over Democrats in their bid to maintain control of the state Senate, new campaign-finance reports show.
Campaign committees tied to the Senate GOP have raised $18.46 million compared to $3.5 million for Democrats — nearly a 6-1 advantage.
Republicans hold a slim 33-29 majority in the Senate — the GOP’s only bastion of power in state government.
The official figures don’t account for a recent $1 million donation that Mayor Bloomberg made to the GOP’s “housekeeping account.”
The powerful teachers union, New York State United Teachers, is trying to level the playing field by spending $1 million or more to help Democrats.
The GOP’s fund-raising advantage certainly gives them a leg up on Election Day, said Bill Mahoney, research director for the New York Public Interest Research Group.
“The monied interests believe the Republicans will be in charge of the Senate for the next few years and that they will be able to help donors get bills passed,” Mahoney said.