Lazio lacks money of governor's race rivals

With a primary election just days away, Republican candidate Rick Lazio lacks millions of dollars his rivals have in a bid to become New York's next governor.

Campaign finance reports filed late Friday show Lazio has $502,368 cash on hand.

The former congressman and member of the Suffolk County Legislature raised $265,606 since Aug. 13, the last reporting deadline. He is in a GOP primary Sept. 14 that will decide who runs against Democrat Andrew Cuomo.

"We feel very good about where we are and are confident we will continue to have the resources necessary to defeat Andrew Cuomo on November 2," said Barney Keller, a spokesman for Lazio, Saturday.

Carl Paladino, Lazio's Republican primary opponent, emptied his campaign treasury, reporting a deficit of $567 for the 20-day period ended Aug. 30. But campaign manager Michael Caputo said last week the Buffalo millionaire would spend what it takes to win. Paladino raised $333,624 in the same period - $220,000 from his bank account - and spent $484,379, according to campaign finance records.

Either man faces a financial juggernaut in Cuomo, who had $23.6 million in his campaign account as of July.

Among the Democrats vying for state attorney general, Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice leads with the most cash on hand: $2.8 million. Rice raised $279,939 in the 20-day period and spent $1.9 million.

Hempstead Village native Sean Coffey, a former federal prosecutor, has $1.6 million left after spending $2.6 million and loaning his campaign an additional $1 million. Former state Insurance Commissioner Eric Dinallo also has $1.6 million after spending $52,642 and raising $66,909.

Manhattan State Sen. Eric Schneiderman has $1.3 million on hand after spending $1.5 million and raising $648,463. Assemb. Richard Brodsky has $335,494 after spending $1.3 million in the period and raising $99,000.