Money flows from Texas, outside interests to Brandon Williams for Congress

Williams (R. Sennett) received more than 95 percent of the second quarter votes from outside New York City and the Mohawk Valley, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Williams County, which includes Onondaga, Madison, and Oneida counties, as well as part of Oswego County, raised $539,590 in the second quarter.

Cayuga County Republicans received $178,033 from individual donors, including 66 donations totaling $84,438 from Texas residents. Among the Texans backing Williams’ campaign is major Republican donor Harlan Crowe, whose relationship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is under scrutiny. He and his wife Katherine each donated $3,300, the maximum allowed by FEC rules.

Williams is from Texas. He was born and raised in Dallas.

Williams’ campaign received 32 donations totaling $19,575 from individuals in the 22nd Ward, less than 4% of his total income, according to filings. He raised his $31,525 from New Yorkers, including residents of his NY-22.

Williams also raised $167,280 from the PAC and other political committees, almost entirely from outside the 22nd ward. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s election committee donated $2,000. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s campaign donated $4,000. US Rep. Elise Stefanik, chairman of the House GOP meeting, donated $4,000 through her campaign.

The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC that works with House Republican leaders, and the National Republican Congressional Committee each donated $5,000.

The Community Chest funded Williams’ campaign fund account with $189,027. Williams has a winning fund to support his reelection in NY-22. There are other community fundraising committees supporting his campaign, including Protect the House, a fund set up by Republican leadership to help candidates running in hotly contested districts. .

After spending $204,377 in the second quarter, Williams is left with $806,720 in cash.

Williams was pressed about fundraising at a town hall meeting in May. When asked why he was seeking out-of-district funding, he told the crowd, “We don’t have much money here, folks.”

“If you look at the economy by county, Central New York and Upstate New York are lagging behind,” Williams said. “That’s a lot of the reason we think we need better leadership here.”

He later brought up the topic again when discussing the money spent against him in the primary and general elections at City Hall. Outside groups from both parties funded the general election campaign, but Mr. Williams was heavily criticized by Democratic candidate Francis Connoll.

He won the primary and general election even though his opponents were in an advantageous economic position.

Williams dismissed criticism of how the 2024 re-election campaign will be funded. Since taking office in January, he has raised more than $1 million for re-election.

“Frankly, the insane money flowing through our politics, where that money is coming from, and if you’re really concerned about that issue and not the point of attack, you’re blamed for outside money. Where is the money for our elections coming from?” he said. “Actually, I’m the cheapest congressman ever.”

NY-22 is a top target for House Democrats seeking to regain a majority in 2024. Three Democrats — Clemmy Harris, Sarah Klee Hood and Senator John Mannion — are vying for the party’s nomination to challenge Williams next year.