Long-Shot Makes the Rounds

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The New York Sun

Republican Senate candidate Howard Mills is working the convention crowd this week in hopes of narrowing the huge money gap between his campaign and Senator Schumer’s.


The New York delegation staged a breakfast in his honor yesterday at the Sheraton Hotel, giving Mr. Mills, an assemblyman from Orange County, the chance to introduce himself to party activists from across the state.


His priority at that event, like the dozen others he will attend this week, is finding fund-raisers willing to help his campaign.


As far behind as he is in the race for votes – 13% to 62%, according to a recent Quinnipiac poll – Mr. Mills’s dollar disadvantage is even more dramatic. As of June 30, he had raised $454,005, or less than 2% of the almost $25 million collected by the Democratic incumbent.


With many of the party’s top donors and fundraisers gathered in New York City for the Republican National Convention, Mr. Mills is buttonholing as many as he can.


“People are generally supportive and would like to see somebody take out Chuck Schumer,” his spokeswoman, Caroline Quartararo, said. “Howard’s been happy with what’s been happening so far. He’s been meeting a lot of new people and there’s a lot more to do.”


She said it was too early to identify any of the people who had agreed to help.


At yesterday’s breakfast, Governor Pataki said his victory over Governor Cuomo in 1994 demonstrates that an obscure upstate legislator can defeat a well-known incumbent with more money.


“Republicans can win when they have the right ideas, the right vision, the right message to the people of this state,” Mr. Pataki said.


During his remarks, Mr. Mills criticized Mr. Schumer’s record of the past six years and pledged to be an “effective voice” for New York in Washington.


“I really believe in my heart that we can win this election,” he said.


Mr. Mills started his schmoozing campaign Saturday, taking part in a cruise with Republican activists and attending a press reception that evening at the Time Warner Center.


On Sunday he brunched at the Women’s National Republican Club; attended a reception for the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay rights group, at the Bryant Park Grill; stopped by a National Republican Senatorial Committee event at the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum, and wrapped up the day at an Asian-American GOP reception at the Marriott in Times Square.


After yesterday’s breakfast, Mr. Mills worked the floor of the convention at Madison Square Garden and went to a reception of the Erie County Republican Committee. Today, he’s scheduled to pitch in at a Habitat for Humanity project at the South Bronx and go to the Republican Majority for Choice’s “Big Tent Event” at the Sky Club.


The New York Sun

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