The Democratic primary for the 61st District state Senate seat in Western New York has become a financial juggernaut, with campaign spending exceeding $2 million since last November. This intense financial battle underscores the stark differences between the two Democratic contenders, despite their similar policy platforms.
In a region known for its competitive politics, the race between State Sen. Jeremy Zellner and Assembly Member Jonathan Rivera has set a new benchmark for campaign expenditures. The sheer volume of funds raised and spent highlights the significance of this primary election, scheduled for next week.
The Financial Landscape of the 61st District Primary
According to the most recent campaign finance disclosures, Zellner has spent over $1.3 million since last fall’s general election, which saw Sean Ryanthe former occupant of the seat, win the race for Buffalo mayor. Zellner’s expenditures include more than $500,000 leading up to the Feb. 3 special election against Republican Dan Gagliardowho spent $237,000 on his campaign. Since defeating Gagliardo, Zellner has allocated over $750,000 to his primary campaign.
On the other hand, Rivera has spent nearly $475,000 as of last week. Zellner’s campaign committee has raised two-and-a-half times as much as Rivera’s and spent nearly three times as much. Both candidates have leveraged the state’s public campaign finance system, which matches donations under $250 from individuals residing in the district. Rivera has collected almost $340,000 in matching funds, while Zellner has secured $750,000.
The Role of Transfers and Big Donors
Both candidates have also transferred funds from other campaign accounts to support their current race. Rivera moved $50,000 from his Assembly campaign account to his Senate campaign account last September. Zellner, who serves as the chair of the Erie County Democratic Committeetransferred $236,000 from his chairman’s campaign account to fund this race.
In addition to public funds and transfers, both candidates have courted big donors. Rivera raised $69,000 from 13 contributors who gave $5,000 or more, with the majority being labor organizations. Zellner has 17 donors of $5,000 or more, whose contributions total just under $94,000. Notable among Zellner’s donors is a political action committee representing the Coalition of Asian-American IPAa New york city-based doctors’ association, as well as two businesses run by a relative—Zellner Development and EZ Tire—each contributing $5,000.
Shared Donors and Political Alliances
There are 18 donors who have contributed to both candidates, with $9,725 going to Zellner and $8,814 to Rivera. Among the top contributors to both campaigns are the Albany-based lobbying firm Brown & Weinraubwhich gave each candidate $2,500 through its political action committee. Lobbyist Chris Bombardier of Catalyst Government Relations donated $1,000 to Zellner and double that amount to Rivera. Similarly, Giorgio DeRosa of the lobbying firm Bolton-St. John’s gave $1,000 to Rivera and double that amount to Zellner.
Other notable shared donors include Scott Wexler of Catalyst, who gave $500 to each candidate, and Buffalo-based lobbyist Sam Hoytthe former occupant of the seat Rivera now holds, who contributed $1,285 to Zellner and $200 to Rivera. Reid Petroleum of Lockport and Luke Maleckia partner in the accounting firm Drescher & Maleckialso donated to both campaigns.
The Historical Context of Campaign Spending
The financial scale of this Senate primary far surpasses previous contests. In 2008, three Democrats—Joe MesiDan Wardand Michele Ianello—competed for the same seat, albeit with a different geographical makeup. Those three candidates spent almost $274,000 in a comparable time period, which, adjusted for inflation, amounts to about $412,000. This figure is less than a quarter of the money Rivera and Zellner have spent.
Adding to the uniqueness of this race is the absence of a Republican or Conservative candidate in the November general election. Gagliardo bowed out of the race after the February special election, and a potential replacement, attorney Christopher McMasterdeclined the Conservative and Republican lines in April, according to county elections board records.