Figures suggest Senate GOP cash advantage

ALBANY -- Senate Republicans have nearly $5.4 million in their campaign accounts ahead of the coming election cycle and have spent more than $1 million already in several competitive districts, a GOP source familiar with the campaign effort said.

The figures, which must be reported to the state Board of Elections next week, suggest Republicans will continue at least a 5-to-1 cash advantage over Democrats working to retake the chamber. Democrats would not say how much their filing would contain, but as of April had roughly $228,000 in cash split among their accounts, compared with $5.2 million for Republicans.

Since the legislative session wrapped up last month, both parties have shifted focus to this year's electoral battles. Republicans have a 33-29 majority in the chamber and have set their sights on two seats now held by Democrats, one of whom is retiring, and a newly formed district stretching from Amsterdam to Kingston, just west and south of Albany.

The GOP is hoping Assemb. George Amedore, (R-Rotterdam), will parlay name recognition and personal wealth into a successful campaign against Cecilia Tkaczyk, president of the Duanesburg school board.

Democrats are planning a push in 11 districts around the state. New York is a Democratic state, they say, and it's only a matter of time before the party recaptures the majority it held from 2008 to 2010.

"The majority was lost by a combined 900 votes in two districts in 2010, a historic Republican year. Now that we're looking at a presidential election year, turnout will return to a normal Democratic advantage, and the playing field for us is overwhelmingly on offense," said Sen. Mike Gianaris of Queens, who is chairman of the Democrats' campaign committee.

But Republicans say their cash edge is indicative of other advantages. They say they've worked well in concert with Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and note that Cuomo has conspicuously refused to endorse his fellow Democrats' bid to retake the chamber, or commit to campaigning on their behalf.

Polls show Cuomo is viewed favorably by 70 percent of the state's voters, and his endorsement is widely sought. Last month he held a fundraiser to help Democrats who control the State Assembly.