Voting for the primary election took place at Grant D. Morse Elementary School in Saugerties on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Photo by Diane Pineiro Zucker)
KINGSTON, N.Y. — The Democratic candidates in the 41st Senate District and 103rd House District have far more cash in their campaign coffers than their Republican opponents, according to the most recent campaign finance reports filed with the State Board of Elections.
41st Senate
Incumbent Sen. Michelle Hinchey had a whopping $410,572 in her campaign coffers as of the July 11, 2024 deadline. According to filings, Hinchey (D-Saugerties) began the reporting period with $189,293.90 in funds. She received 408 contributions during the period, bringing in $107,263.75 in contributions and another $166,626 in miscellaneous income, for a total of $273,899.75 during the quarter.
Hinchey has spent $52,610 on his campaign and has $410,572 remaining in his campaign fund, according to filings.
By contrast, Ruby resident Patrick Sheehan, a Republican running against Hinchey for a second two-year term in the state Senate, had $4,152.01 at the start of the reporting period. He received $2,445 in contributions and spent $1,693.75 during the period, giving him a net worth of $4,903.
103rd General Assembly
Incumbent state Rep. Sarahana Shrestla had $144,131 in campaign funds as of the start of the reporting period, according to filings dated July 15. She received $7,179.74 in contributions and $3,767 in other contributions.
Shrestha, who ran against Gabriella “Gabi” Madden in the primary, spent $78,306 and had $76,771.88 left heading into the regular election season. Shrestha, a Democrat from Esopus, handily defeated Madden in the June primary.
Shrestha’s Republican opponent, Jack Hayes, did not file a report with the State Board of Elections. Hayes, a Conservative Party chairman and former Ulster County councilman from Gardiner, donated $100 to the campaign but did not spend any of the funds, according to previous reports.
51st Senate
Incumbent state Sen. Peter Oberacker (R-Chenebus) began his campaign with $12,425 and raised another $12,137.80 in campaign contributions. He spent $17,889.40 in his race for the seat he has held since 2021, bringing his campaign coffers to $6,674.
Michelle Frazier, who is facing Oberker in the Nov. 5 election, began the campaign reporting period with $7,749 and has raised a massive $21,106 in campaign contributions.
Frazier, an assistant professor of criminal justice at the State University of New York at Delhi, spent $16,034.68 on the campaign, leaving his campaign coffers at $12,820.60.
101st General Assembly
Republican incumbent Rep. Brian Maher had $8,426.92 in his campaign account at the start of the reporting period. He raised $13,461.04 in donations and miscellaneous income and spent $20,212.50, leaving him with $1,675.46 left in the coffers. Maher, a Republican from Walden, is running unopposed for reelection.
104th General Assembly
Incumbent state Rep. Jonathan Jacobson (D-Newburgh) had $172,460.68 in his campaign fund account at the start of the reporting period. He raised another $32,529.33 in donations and miscellaneous income during the reporting period. Jacobson spent $1,870.47 in his unopposed reelection bid, bringing his campaign fund to $203,119.54, according to the State Board of Elections.
The general election will take place on Tuesday, November 5th.
