Gov. David A. Paterson raised more than $3.2 million in contributions for his election in 2010 in the past two months, his political committee announced today.
The Paterson for Governor committee received more than 600 donations from individuals, businesses and groups since fundraising began on May 5, said spokesman Jonathan Rosen. Paterson established the committee on April 14, less than a month after he moved into the Executive Mansion upon Eliot Spitzer’s sudden resignation amid a scandal.
Rosen said the committee had spent little so far and details would be available Tuesday, the deadline for campaigns to file disclosure forms with the Board of Elections.
Experts said the magnitude of Democrat Paterson’s initial campaign haul would quiet concerns about his fundraising prowess as a middle-class lawmaker with fewer ties to the business community than millionaire Spitzer. Less than $25,000 of Paterson’s donations were transferred from his old election committee for lieutenant governor.
The Spitzer/Paterson campaign spent about $33 million in the 2006 election.
Paterson received no money from Spitzer’s committee, Spitzer 2010, but was given its office space and equipment, according to sources.
Paterson, a champion of public financing of campaigns as a state senator, is not adhering to the $10,000 limit on contributions from individuals established by Spitzer.
Last month, comptroller Thomas DiNapoli of Great Neck, announced a $20,000 limit on individual donations to his new DiNapoli 2010 committee. It wasn’t expected to report large sums because a kick-off fundraiser isn’t until late summer, said aide Dennis Tompkins.
A spokesman for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo was not immediately available to comment.
James T. Madore