Super PAC spending in state races down, but not out
After spending a lot during contentious primary races in June, most outside groups have significantly dialed back their spending for the general election, especially compared to past years. But some super PACs are still trying to weigh in on a handful of competitive races this year, as Democrats in both the state Senate and Assembly attempt to hold onto their super majorities for the upcoming session.
The biggest single independent expenditure for the general election so far came from the New York City Police Benevolent Association in support of Democratic Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato. The union’s super PAC dropped $200,000 on digital, direct mail, radio and television ads to support the moderate Democratic incumbent from Queens against her Republican challenger Tom Sullivan. This is a rematch for the pair, and Pheffer Amato only narrowly managed to fend off Sullivan in 2022, so financial support from a union that has historically supported Republicans is significant.
The New York City PBA officially endorsed her on Sept. 27. Days later, on Oct. 1, the union’s independent expenditure committee began spending its cash in support of Pheffer Amato. So far, she is the only candidate that the union is supporting through independent expenditures.
As usual, the pro-charter school group New Yorkers for A Balanced Albany is weighing in on a handful of races after playing a large role in several primaries earlier this year. The group, which is associated with the charter school advocacy group Students First New York, spent its largest sum of $150,000 to back state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. The Staten Island Democrat won her first election two years ago to replace former state Sen. Diane Savino, a fellow moderate Democrat. But her margin of victory for the open seat was less than 2 percentage points, so a reelection victory to secure her place in the state Legislature could be tough to achieve. Her Republican opponent Marko Kepi previously ran for a City Council and Assembly seat in the area, though he lost both times.
https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2024/10/super-pac-spending-state-races-down-not-out/400144/?oref=csny-category-lander-top-story