By Nick Mattera
Niagara Gazette
NIAGARA FALLS —
According to the latest round of campaign finance reports filed with the New York State Board of Elections, State Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte holds a substantial financial edge over her challengers by taking money from a blend of statewide unions, downstate lobbyists and Political Action Committees — but very little money came from within her local assembly district.
According to the report, DelMonte, D-Lewiston accepted 51 separate contributions totaling $21,285, of which only one came from within her 138th district.
DelMonte received 23 donations from Albany-based contributors, eight from out-of-state contributors and 24 donations from Political Action Committees, which doesn’t sit well with her potential Republican challenger.
County Legislator John Ceretto, who would face DelMonte if she moves on to November’s general election, said the assemblywoman’s contributors show where her interests lie.
“It’s clear that she is not representing the interests of her home district,” Ceretto said. “Even in the excruciating dysfunction of New York State government, Francine DelMonte’s numbers stand out. She has never advocated for campaign finance reforms and now we know why — she is bought and paid for by special interests.”
Ceretto said Political Action Committees are often very influential in advancing or blocking legislation in Albany.
DelMonte said even if a donation comes from an address outside of the 138th district, it doesn’t mean it is lacking a local connection.
“(These organizations) know I go to bat for them,” DelMonte said. “I’ve worked very hard on behalf of the constituents, everything I do is on behalf of the 138th district, I am their voice in the assembly.”
DelMonte said she was a strong advocate for the campaign finance reform act, which was unanimously approved by the assembly and is still waiting on the approval of the state senate. She said she pushed for a provision in the bill which would eliminate any anonymous campaign material, such as robo calls, flyers or mailings and they all must be attributed to a source.
“I am very proud to have that inserted into the bill,” she said.
DelMonte’s biggest donation came in the form of a $1,000 donation from Charter School Lobbyist Patricia Lynch. She received $300 from E3 communications president Earl Wells and $500 from Hodgson Russ Attorney and NFTA Board Member Adam Perry.
She also received two separate contributions from HSBC bank totaling $750 and $500 from Citigroup. She received small donations from pharmaceutical companies, Eli Lilly and Co. and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufactures of America.
Other DelMonte contributors included the AFL CIO, Long Island-based solid waste Landfill Covanta Energy, Occidental Chemical Corp. and National Grid Electric Company.
Ceretto, R-Lewiston, who does not face a primary election challenge in his quest for the assembly seat, filed just $2,087 in campaign contributions for his campaign since Jan. 1. Ceretto said he also has money available in his legislature account, but said it is less than $1,000.
“I am not concerned with the amount of money I have raised,” Ceretto said. “This is a grassroots campaign, people have told me they are looking for a change in the 138th district and I will not cater to downstate special interests.”
Of his contributions, $1,290 are unitemized, however his other contributions came from local political parties or politicians. County Legislator Vince Sandanato, R-Niagara Falls, contributed $100, the Niagara Falls Republican Committee contributed $100 and Ceretto received $198 from “Wojtaszek for Justice.”
Ceretto may be able to benefit from a $5,000 contribution made to the Niagara County Republican Committee by the Town of Porter’s Chemical Waste Management. CWM donated more than $40,000 last year to candidates and political parties across New York State, including in 2009, three separate donations made to the Niagara County Republican Committee totaling $9,900.
The Republican committee received $126,282 in donations since Jan. 1 of this year, with the largest contributor being CWM and the law firm Harris Beach, which also contributed $5,000. Harris Beach represents the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency, which is chaired by powerful county Republican Henry Sloma.
Party Chairman Michael J. Norris could not be reached over the weekend for comment.
Niagara Falls Democrat John Accardo, who is expected to challenge DelMonte with a Democratic primary has not filed his campaign disclosure report to date, but told the Gazette he expects to do so by Wednesday.
Paul Accardo, John’s brother and campaign treasurer is president of Flexcare Inc., a local health insurance company which donated $3,000 to the county republican committee on May 24. Accardo’s campaign Manager Tom Insana, as well as Paul Accardo are both registered Republicans, with Paul contributing $17,000 to the County Republican Committee since 2007.
John Accardo missed the July 12 deadline to file because his brother and campaign treasurer is out of town, he said.
