GOP super PAC to spend $900,000 in East End Congress race
Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and surrounding town officials during meeting about aircraft noise on the east end of Long Island. Aug. 22 2016. Credit: John Roca
A super PAC backing House Republicans has committed to spending $900,000 against Democrat Anna Throne-Holst as she tries to unseat Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley), the group announced Tuesday.
The Congressional Leadership Fund said the spending includes $600,000 for cable TV and digital advertising that will start Oct. 11, and $300,000 for get-out-the-vote efforts.
In addition to the super PAC money, the National Republican Campaign Committee has reserved $1.8 million in television ad buys through November to support Zeldin.
The Democrats’ super PAC, House Majority Fund, has reserved $500,000 to spend on the race in the First Congressional District. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has not reserved any airtime so far, according to public records.
The First Congressional District, which covers eastern Suffolk County, is considered a toss-up race. Historically it has been the region’s most competitive district, swinging between Republicans and Democrats.
Andrew Grunwald, spokesman for Throne-Holst’s campaign, said he expects Democrats’ spending to be significant.
“I’m very confident we’ll have the resources to win the race,” Grunwald said, “Zeldin’s right-wing special interest allies in Washington who share his extreme views on guns are stepping in in an attempt to save Zeldin.”
“Team Zeldin is grateful for the outpouring of support that we have received, especially the hundreds of volunteers knocking on doors and making phone calls throughout the district,” Zeldin spokeswoman Jennifer DiSiena said. “Congressman Zeldin has worked tirelessly on behalf of New York’s First Congressional District, securing victory after victory for Long Island residents.”
Throne-Holst has raised nearly $2 million and had $500,000 cash on hand at the end of June, according to federal campaign filings. She has been running television ads for three weeks.
Zeldin has raised more than $3 million and had $2 million cash on hand at the end of June, his filings show.
He began airing his first television ad Tuesday which points to his service in the U.S. Army in Iraq, working to secure a permanent extension of the Zadroga Act for health care for people with 9/11-related illnesses and on a bill to allow law enforcement agencies to go to court to block certain gun purchases.
The Republicans’ Congressional Leadership Fund super PAC raised more than $6 million this year, according to opensecrets.org. Million dollar donations have come from oil and gas company Chevron, Locust Valley billionaire and hedge fund manager Julian Robertson Jr. and New York hedge fund manager Paul Singer.
The super PAC has committed to spending $20.7 million across 15 congressional districts.
David Schwartz covers environmental issues. A native Long Islander, he's worked at Newsday since 2013.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
