Campaign Contributions For City Offices Have Increased

Contributions to candidates running for city office in 2009 have reached a record $25.7 million, an increase of more than 300% from the amount raised during the 2005 election cycle, according to a report by the New York City Campaign Finance Board.

With 20 months until the September 2009 citywide primary, candidates have received campaign cash from 30,856 contributors. Of those contributors, 11,447 have donated the maximum amount allowed by law, according to the report.

"Even during this busy political year at the national level, more people are engaged in New York City's local political life earlier in the election cycle than ever before," the executive director of CFB, Amy Loprest, said in a statement yesterday.

At stake in the next election are 36 open City Council seats, four borough presidencies, and three citywide offices.