Shafran reaches full matching funds threshold in Northeast Queens Council race

Photo courtesy of shafran

By David Brand

A veteran political strategist running to represent Queens’ Council District 19 said he has raised nearly $45,000 over the past three months, enough to reach the full public matching funds threshold in a competitive and crowded race.

Austin Shafran, a Bayside native and president of the political consulting firm Metropolitan Public Strategies, is one of five Democratic candidates running to replace term-limited Councilmember Paul Vallone. He previously lost to Vallone by 194 votes in the 2013 Democratic primary to represent Douglaston, Bayside, College Point, Little Neck and nearby neighborhoods.

Shafran said he has received 325 contributions ahead of Monday night’s financial disclosure deadline.

To qualify for $8-to-$1 public matching funds, Council candidates must receive contributions from 75 constituents in the district they hope to represent.

Contributions are capped at $1,000 for candidates seeking matching funds and the city will match the first $175 of each individual contribution, up to a total of $44,614.

“Every neighborhood has a voice and I'm honored that the support we have built will allow our campaign to be a megaphone for that chorus,” Shafran said.

He took aim at one of his rivals in the race, former District 19 Councilmember Tony Avella, who is running to reclaim his old seat.

“Unlike an entitled politician that believes retaking public office is something they're owed, this grassroots fundraising support demonstrates the great pride that I take in recognizing that 'our' campaign and this office is led by the people and communities it's meant to serve,” Shafran said.

The city’s Board of Elections will publish financial disclosure reports Jan. 15. 

Two of the four other candidates in the race filed to run before a July 2020 disclosure deadline and reported their fundraising totals. Richard Lee, the budget director in the Queens Borough President’s Office, raised $32,450 as of July 15, 2020. Avella, who also see red in the state senate, raised $14,996.

The two additional Democratic candidates include Adriana Aviles, a retired NYPD officer and member of the local Community Education Council, and Nabaraj KC, a real estate agent and local Rotary Club president. 

Vickie Paladino, a local conservative leader and a state senate candidate in 2018, is running on the Republican side.