As the primary elections near, the four candidates in the competitive New York State Assembly District 69 race submitted their campaign contributions in the second week of March. Micah Lasher, former policy director for Gov. Kathy Hochul, reported the highest contributions, with over $230,000, followed by Eli Northrup at $107,810, Melissa Rosenberg at $40,212, and Carmen Quinones at $1,552.
The disclosures indicate how much money in-district residents are contributing to each candidate, determining the amount of money candidates can qualify for under the New York State Public Campaign Finance Program. The program is available to statewide and state legislative candidates and is in its first year. All four candidates qualified for the program.
However, due to his high disclosure numbers, only Lasher can apply for the maximum amount of public matching funds at $175,000.
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In a March 14 press release, Lasher announced his contributions come from 610 donors and do not include general election fundraising. Forty-three percent of Lasher’s contributors are from the West Side and 90 percent are from New York state.
“Receiving broad support from the community that I grew up in has been deeply moving,” Lasher wrote in the press release. “Our success during this fundraising period is a testament to the grassroots strength of this campaign, and the belief that West Siders have in the possibility of bringing a new kind of politics to Albany.”
Lasher received endorsements from Rep. Jerry Nadler, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, City Comptroller Brad Lander, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, State Sen. Robert Jackson, State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Assembly member Linda Rosenthal, City Council member Shaun Abreu, City Council member Gale Brewer, former City Comptroller Scott Stringer, and former Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger. Lasher was also endorsed by Broadway Democrats, Three Parks Independent Democrats, and West Side Democrats.
Northrup disclosed $107,810 on March 15 in the New York state disclosure report, making him eligible for more than half of the maximum match from the public funding program. The Northrup campaign said that it expects $88,000 through public funding in a press release, bringing the total fundraising haul to over $190,000. 75 percent of the donations were $100 or less.
“I am humbled and inspired by the incredible outpouring of support our campaign has received,” Northrup wrote in the press release. “These donations are a clear testament to the grassroots strength that fuels our movement, and as a public defender and now an assembly candidate, I’ve always believed in the power of community and the importance of every single voice. This fundraising achievement is not just a number; it reflects our shared commitment to justice, equity, and the belief that together, we can make a difference. This campaign is powered by the people, and I am deeply grateful for every contribution that helps us move one step closer to our collective vision for change.”
The New York Working Families Party, Sunrise Movement New York City, Assembly member Amanda Septimo, Assembly member Anna Kelles, and Assembly member Latrice Walker have all endorsed Northrup.
Rosenberg disclosed $40,212 on March 12, but her campaign has yet to announce how much money it would receive through the public funding matching program.
“The Rosenberg campaign continues to build its campaign through genuine grassroots fundraising with hundreds of unique donors, more than eight in ten from New Yorkers, and an average contribution amount of less than half our wealthiest competitor,” Rosenberg wrote in a statement to Spectator.
Quinones disclosed $1,552.06 on March 11. Quinones wrote in a statement to Spectator that she plans to announce the funds from the public funding program in April. Despite the low number, Quinones wrote that she is “encouraged” by her growing base of donors.
“Some would deem amounts of $5, $10 or even $20 as ‘micro donations,’” Quinones wrote in a statement to Spectator. “However, we know that those are rides to work, meals and means to do laundry that are instead be sacrificed to partner with our campaign. We look forward to combining the gifts from our neighborhood partners with the matching funds from the state to continue our grassroots fight to bring substantial change to, not just our community, but the entire state.”
Quinones has not yet received any endorsements.
Candidates are also currently in the process of petitioning, where they must collect 1,500 signatures for their names to appear on the ballot. The Democratic primary will be held on June 25.
City News Deputy Editor Isha Banerjee can be contacted at isha.banerjee@columbiaspectator.com. Follow her on X @ishabanerjee20.
Deputy Graphics Editor Molly Durawa can be contacted at molly.durawa@columbiaspectator.com. Follow Spectator on X @ColumbiaSpec.
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