Bellone fundraiser with Stewart-Cousins raises $400,000

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone raised $400,000 at last week’s fundraiser to launch his bid for re-election, headlined by incoming State Senate majority leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, according to his spokesman, Jason Elan.

Aides say that more than 300 attended the event Wednesday at Coindre Hall in Huntington where Bellone received Stewart-Cousins' endorsement in large part because of his help in electing a Democratic State Senate majority, including three seats in Suffolk.

“He’s been a partner since the moment I met him,” Stewart-Cousins told the crowd. “I know when I have a good thing. I know when I have a good partner … And if you don’t re-elect Steve, I’m not even going to go there … I know we’ll have a long partnership … and you’ll see me on the Island again and again.”

The event will add to the $1.65 million that Bellone reported in his campaign kitty earlier this month after sending $191,000 to state Democrats to boost Senate election chances.