With roughly $1.17 million on hand, Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) has amassed a campaign war chest heading into November’s election larger than what he spent on his last two races, according to the most recent campaign finance records available.
King, who became chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee last year — a post that affords him access to a bevy of deep-pocket donors, leads the local delegation in the money count less than six months out from Election Day.
Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) isn’t far behind with $962,382 in the bank, followed by Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Jamaica Estates) with $775,848.
Democrats Joseph Crowley of Jackson Heights, Carolyn McCarthy of Mineola and Tim Bishop of Southampton rank fourth, fifth and sixth—respectively — with a little under $600,000 each.
New York City mayoral hopeful Anthony Weiner (D-Kew Gardens) is near the bottom with $493,703. And Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Far Rockaway) rounds out the list with $168,387.
While King tops the list in “cash on hand,” Crowley has actually raised the most — $982,460 — during the past two years. A large portion of King’s fortune was rolled over from his previous campaign.
New campaign finance data will be available next month.
— J. JIONI PALMER