GOP spending heavily on Senate race

Senate Republicans have dropped $710,902 in the last 100 days to reclaim a north country seat that was theirs for more than a century, outpacing their Democratic counterparts in contributions by more than 8 to 1.

The state Senate Republican Campaign Committee has transferred $562,700 to David A. Renzi, its candidate in the 48th Senate District, since June 10. The committee has spent an additional $148,202 on Mr. Renzi's behalf, campaign finance reports released Friday show.

Mr. Renzi is looking to unseat Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, who was elected to the seat during a special election seven months ago. The state Democratic Senate Campaign Committee has spent $87,710.83 on Mr. Aubertine since Aug. 4, but has transferred nothing during this campaign to the candidate's account.

Mr. Renzi said Senate Republicans have paid for mailers sent to voters and helped offset costs of 30-second spots on television.

"We're going to keep getting the message out and I'm grateful that they want to support that," said the Watertown attorney, adding he didn't know how much state Republicans were willing to spend on his candidacy.

The state committee gave $1.13 million to the campaign of Assemblyman William A. Barclay, R-Pulaski, when he challenged Mr. Aubertine in the special election. It spent an additional $997,876.82 on Mr. Barclay's behalf.

Andrew G. Mangione, the senator's spokesman, said state Democrats paid for startup expenses accrued during the opening of Mr. Aubertine's three campaign offices. They also paid for yard signs, he said.

As for what money Mr. Aubertine can expect from the state committee during the next 42 days, Mr. Mangione said: "This campaign has been and will be focused on spreading Darrel's record of protecting jobs and reducing spending, and we expect to have the resources needed to spread that message."

Mr. Aubertine received $987,959 from the state Democratic Committee during the special election. The committee and the Working Families Party combined spent an additional $909,520 on Mr. Aubertine's behalf.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee has reported spending $4,475.31 on Addie J. Russell, their candidate for the vacant 118th Assembly District seat, since June 10. The Republican Assembly Campaign Committee reported no expenses paid on behalf of Robert W. "Bobby" Cantwell III, Mrs. Russell's opponent.