Rep. Lee Zeldin sets up ‘victory funds’

Lee Zeldin poses for a portrait at his campaign office... — Lee Zeldin poses for a portrait at his campaign office on May 9, 2014. Credit: Lee Zeldin poses for a portrait at his campaign office on May 9, 2014.

By Tom Brunetom.brune@newsday.com @TomBruneDCAugust 21, 2016

Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) has set up four “victory funds” with other House candidates to raise money, the most among Long Islanders running for Congress.

Known also as joint-fundraising committees, the victory funds have become popular since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2014 that political donors can give to as many candidates as they like, with no cap on overall congressional contributions.

The victory funds allow candidates to share their donors with each other. Last week, Zeldin filed to fundraise with Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.). And in June Zeldin set up victory funds with state Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola) who is running to replace Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington), Rep. Ryan Costello (R-Pa.) and Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah).

Zeldin’s Democratic opponent in the 1st District, Anna Throne-Holst, set up a victory fund with the New York State Democratic Party on Aug. 4. So did Suffolk County legislative presiding officer DuWayne Gregory on Aug. 3 in his uphill bid against Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford).

— Tom Brune

By Tom Brune

tom.brune@newsday.com @TomBruneDC

Tom Brune covers the White House, Congress, the Supreme Court and the federal government from Washington, D.C.