Contributions Rise for City's 2009 Races

More candidates are raising more money and doing it earlier than ever before in preparation for the 2009 New York City elections, according to an analysis released yesterday by the New York City Campaign Finance Board.

As of July 17, likely 2009 candidates had raised $15.6 million, dwarfing the $4.2 million raised at this point in the 2005 cycle.

Forty-eight candidates are raising money for 2009 races, the Campaign Finance Board reported. The number is high in part because term limits prevent the mayor and 36 of 51 City Council members from seeking re-election. Competitive races are shaping up for several of the open seats.

In the 2001 election, when term limits similarly led to many open-seat races, 36 candidates reported raising funds — a total of $6.2 million — during the first 18 months of that cycle.

The board found that 2009 race contributions from individuals represented a larger portion of candidates' early fund raising than in the last citywide race: 84%, compared with 75% in 2005.