Blakeman has the bucks for 2025 and beyond

Daily Point

Blakeman spends $3M — so far — in reelection bid

Now that New York’s top court has unanimously approved a major change in the cycle of local elections, the winner of November’s Nassau County executive race will have only a three-year term, with the next election for the Mineola crown coming in 2028. Incumbent Bruce Blakeman, who has a stack of cash, may want to keep some of it for next year if he decides to run for governor.

Blakeman, a Republican, dwarfed not only his opponent, Democrat Seth Koslow, but all countywide candidates in all races combined. Blakeman raised just under $2.4 million according to 32-day pre-general election campaign filings with the New York State Board of Elections. He already had an opening balance of $3.3 million.

His campaign spent $3 million from mid-July to the end of September, with television ads accounting for $2 million of the drawdown. He spent about $224,000 on print and online ads and campaign consultants. His campaign transferred $627,145 to the Nassau County GOP to sprinkle across county and town races.

In comparison, Koslow, a Nassau legislator, raised $330,826 and spent a bit over half a million in total, with $340,000 going for TV and online ads, and $112,000 being spent on campaign literature and consultants.

He got a $100,000 cash infusion from the Nassau County Democratic Committee.

Nassau Leg will only have a one-year term

In the races for the Nassau County Legislature, Republican incumbents outraised and outspent Democratic challengers in nine of 12 districts.

The 16th District has seen the most spending by candidates as the GOP pushes to pick up a seat there. Democratic incumbent Arnold W. Drucker was outspent by his Republican challenger, Jennifer Gallub-Pravato. Drucker reported spending $32,507.97 while Gallub-Pravato spent $42,437.18. Gallub-Pravato, whose residency is under challenge, raised about $13,000 more than Drucker and has $29,244.52 in the bank compared to his $4,080.17.

Both candidates’ biggest expenses were transfers to party committees. Gallub-Pravato transferred $31,000 to the Nassau GOP while Drucker transferred $18,000 to the state Dems.

Drucker spent $11,000 on photos and video for his campaign in addition to $2,000 for a campaign consultant. Gallub-Pravato spent $4,500 on an office and about $1,600 on mailings and online ads. She received $2,500 from Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino’s campaign, and $1,100 from local clubs.

The 14th LD features an open seat; incumbent C. William Gaylor isn’t seeking reelection. Republican Sheharyar Ali raised $37,925 and transferred $57,700 to the county GOP committee for mailings and lawn signs. Ali’s Democratic opponent, Cynthia Nunez, spent $5,380 on mailings and consultants.

In the 5th LD, it’s pretty much a fresh start. Incumbent Koslow is running for county executive, and the district was considerably redrawn. Democrat Olena Nicks, who currently represents the 2nd LD, raised $9,075 compared to Republican challenger Moshe Hill’s $4,904.48. Nicks spent about $2,000 on fundraising. Hill transferred $3,050 to the county GOP committee and spent about $2,000 on campaign activities.

In the 2nd LD, also an open contest due to redistricting, Democrat Viviana Russell raised over $18,000 and spent $7,000. Her opponent, Republican Pepitz Blanchard, didn’t have a record on the state BOE website.

The Nassau party committees are chipping in where needed. You can tell by counting the lawn signs. The GOP committee reported spending more than $400,000 on polling, lawn signs and advertising. The county Dem committee spent about $120,000 on campaign efforts.

Nassau comptroller job will be up again in 2028, a presidential year

County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, a Republican, raised $30,000 and spent $25,000. She has $153,628 on hand. Her opponent, Democrat Wayne Wink, raised $26,000 and spent $36,000. He has a balance of $32,560.88.

4-year terms remain for district attorneys and county clerks — hello 2029

Unless the state constitution is amended to change when district attorneys and county clerks run, the 2029 election will be quite a short ballot now that most other local races are in even-numbered years. These races are not ones that produce eye-popping dollars.

Even so, incumbent Republican Anne Donnelly and Democrat Nicole Aloise are running close in fundraising. Donnelly raised $163,113.21 but already had $588,799.79 on hand. She spent just $19,483.83 so far.

Aloise raised $189,524.76 and had an opening balance of $422,263.24. She outspent Donnelly by dropping $364,916.59, mostly on polling ($52,900) and online ads ($107,626). She has $246,871.41 in the bank.

County Clerk Maureen O’Connell, a Republican, raised just $250 but started with an opening balance of $27,000. Her opponent, Democrat Joylette Williams, raised $5,570 and spent $2,433.45. Williams has a balance of $6,212.66.

— Mark Nolan mark.nolan@newsday.com

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