Crowley tops field in fundraising ahead of Queens BP special election
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Former Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley raised by far the highest amount among the candidates. Photo via City Council.
By David Brand, Victoria Merlino and Jonathan Sperling
More than a quarter of a million dollars has poured into the accounts of the nine candidates vying to become Queens’ next borough president over the last six months, according to campaign finance records published Wednesday, with a little more than two months to go before the March 24 special election.
In total, the candidates have raised a combined $284,176.82 since the last filing deadline on July 15 — with contributors constituting a “who’s who” of Queens politics.
Candidates have had to refund a significant chunk of change along the way, however. That’s because the New York City Campaign Finance Board capped contributions at $750 for candidates participating in the city’s matching funds program, said CFB spokesperson Matt Sollars. All the active candidates have opted to participate in the 8-to-1 matching program.
Councilmember Donovan Richards, for example, refunded a $4,100 contribution from Taxpayers for an Affordable New York, a lobbying coalition of real estate groups, including the Real Estate Board of New York. That reimbursement was not ideological, a campaign official told the Eagle. Richards returned the money to comply with maximum contribution limits for the special election.
Former Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley raised by far the highest amount among the candidates — $104,797.20 from 737 contributors since July 15, 2019. Her haul includes three $175 contributions from former U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley, her cousin and the past chair of the Queens County Democratic Party.
She tapped a few other ex-elected officials, as well, taking in $175 from Sal Albanese, a former councilmember and $100 from attorney Ann-Margaret Carroza, a former assemblymember. In addition, Crowley raised a significant amount of money from the construction industry.
Richards was second in total fundraising over the past six months, collecting $58,383.89 from 346 contributors since July 15. But his campaign has a particular financial advantage thanks to his endorsement from the Queens County Democratic Party. Party executive Frank Bolz, a veteran election lawyer, provides pro bono representation to County-backed candidates.
Among Richards’ contributors was Edgemere Beach Development LLC Director Martin Schaffer who chipped in $400.
Richards was instrumental in ensuring approval of Edgemere Commons, a major residential and commercial development on the site of the old Edgemere Hospital, but Schaffer did not have a role in that project.
Former Councilmember Dan Garodnick, the county party’s 2013 pick for Council Speaker, chipped in $175 — about six years after Richards voted against him in the speaker’s race.
Councilmember Costa Constantinides raised $19,507 in eligible contributions from 737 contributors since July 15, 2019, including $500 from Eftychios Pelekanos, the COO of the popular burger chain Bareburger, which began in Queens. Overall, Constantinides raised $68,572, but refunded contributions of more than $750.
He received $100 from Ann Marie Anzalone, former chief of staff for ex-U.S. Joe Crowley, the past chairman of the Queens County Democratic Party. Constantinides is a Queens Democratic district leader, though he announced he would not seek reelection to the position.
Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer took in $17,360.39 in eligible contributions from 578 contributors since July 15, 2019. Overall, Van Bramer raised $60,035.39, but he has refunded contributions of more than $750 as well as most contributions from real estate developers following an August report by the Daily News.
Van Bramer, chair of the Council’s Committee on Cultural Affairs, received several contributions from people affiliated with arts organizations, including administrators at MOMA PS1 and the Noguchi Museum.
Police reform advocate Anthony Miranda, a former cop, raised $39,970 from 252 contributors since July 15, 2019, though he did not officially file for the race until November 2019.
Miranda took in $100 from ex-State Sen. and Councilmember Hiram Monserrate and at least $350 from other members of the Monserrate family. Monserrate was convicted of federal corruption charges stemming from his time in the Council and expelled from the State Senate after being convicted of domestic violence-related offenses. He is mulling a run for state Assembly.
Miranda also received several contributions from current members of the NYPD, including a $400 contribution from Michael Mancilla and a $175 contribution from Ritchie Baez.
Dao Yin took in $32,465.82 from 340 contributors, many of whom are small business owners particularly concentrated in Flushing.
Former Senior Executive Assistant Queens District Attorney James Quinn raised $11,497.52 from 39 contributions — including several with connections to Councilmember Robert Holden, who recently appeared alongside Quinn to denounce state bail reform laws at a Community Board 9 meeting last month.
Holden’s wife Amy contributed $250 to Quinn, Holden’s Chief of Staff Daniel Kurzyna chipped in $175, and Holden’s part-time staffer Charles Vavruska gave Quinn $175.
Robert Masters, Quinn’s former longtime colleague in the Queens District Attorney’s Office, gave the $750 maximum. Former State Sen. Serphin Maltese contributed $373.68.
The Detectives’ Endowment Association also gave Quinn a $350 contribution.
Quinn was also late to enter the race, officially announcing his candidacy earlier this January.
Danniel Sun Maio raised $175 from one contributor — himself.
Everly Brown, a perennial candidate for elected office, submitted petitions to appear on the ballot, but his campaign contribution information for the last filing period was not available on the campaign finance website.
The next financial disclosure filing deadline is Feb. 21.
