Cash pours into Katz campaign ahead of DA election

Borough President Melinda Katz, the Democratic nominee for Queens DA, raised nearly 13 times as much as her Republican opponent Joe Murray ahead of the Nov. 5 general election. Photo courtesy of Katz; photo courtesy of Murray.

By David Brand

Melinda Katz, the Democratic nominee for Queens District Attorney, has outraised her Republican opponent nearly 13-to-one ahead of the Nov. 5 general election, taking in big sums from organized labor, real estate developers and various police unions.

Katz, the current Queens borough president, raised $153,606 in the last fundraising cycle, which lasted from July 11 to Sept 30. Katz has $83,215.28 on hand. 

GOP nominee Joe Murray, a defense attorney and former NYPD officer, received $12,050. He has $1,670.35 on hand.

The Board of Election posted the candidates’ 32-day general election disclosure reports on Tuesday. 

Katz received $76,400 from 69 individual contributors, including 19 contributions of more than $1,000.

During the Democratic primary recount in July, Katz received a $25,000 infusion from developer Stephen Ross, whose firm The Related Companies built Hudson Yards. Ross faced criticism in August when he hosted a multi-million-dollar fundraiser for President Donald Trump. 

Various law enforcement unions contributed a total of $13,500 to Katz. The Police Benevolent Association chipped in $1,000 and the Detectives' Endowment Association-C.O.P.E. Fund provided $2,500. The Captain’s Endowment Association and Lieutenant’s Benevolent Association each contributed $5,000.

Murray received a total of 24 contributions, including six of more than $1,000.