Constantino, Gendebien have millions to spend

By Maury Thompson, Special to The Chronicle

As of Dec. 31, Democratic congressional candidate Blake Gendebien had spent $2.11 million in the campaign cycle, almost as much as the $2.55 million spent by Republican Anthony Constantino.

Both candidates had significant leads over their likely June primary opponents.

Among Democratic candidates, Mr. Gendebien, a farmer from Lisbon, in Saint Lawrence County, had $2.21 million in his campaign fund, as of Dec. 31.

Dylan Hewitt, a former White House trade advisor from Glens Falls, had $119,936, according to quarterly reports the campaigns file with the Federal Election Commission on Jan. 31.

Two other Democratic candidates, Stuart Amoriell, a restaurant owner from Lake Placid, and Malon Haller, a snow removal laborer and political activist from Amsterdam, both said they had not reached the $5,000 threshold which requires filing a report, as of Dec. 31.

Among Republican candidates, Mr. Constantino, an Amsterdam business man who lives in Edinburg in Saratoga County, had $5.05-million in his campaign fund as of Dec. 31.

Robert Smullen, a four-term state assemblyman from Johnstown: $494,655.

Rep. Stefanik, the six-term incumbent who is not seeking re-election, had $11.34 million in her congressional campaign fund, as of Dec. 31.
Mr. Constantino, who has said he is self-funding his campaign to avoid influence for special interests, has loaned his campaign $7.26 million, and has not received any campaign contributions.

Assemblyman Smullen has also largely self-funded his campaign. He loaned it $500,000, and he reported $13,122 in contributions in the fourth quarter.

His contributions included $500 from former Rep. John Faso, R-Kinderhook.

Assemblyman Smullen spent $18,467 on his campaign in the fourth quarter, more than one-third of which was for communications consulting.

Mr. Canstantino spent $376,150 on his campaign in the fourth quarter, including $5,000 for advertising in The Jewish Voice, a Brooklyn newspaper. Other spending included digital media production and placement, Facebook and Google advertising, strategy consulting, direct mail and radio advertising.

Mr. Gendebien spent $253,077 in the fourth quarter, for text messaging, campaign staff salaries, digital consulting and communications consulting.

Mr. Hewitt spent $72,769 in the fourth quarter, bringing his total spending in the campaign cycle, so far, to $183,775. Spending included text messaging, digital consulting, and commissions to a digital solicitation firm.

Mr. Gendebien raised $382,619 in the fourth quarter.

Mr. Hewitt raised $55,139 in the fourth quarter, bringing the total raised in the campaign cycle, so far, to $303,711.

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