Renzi's failed bid had fullest coffer

Republican David A. Renzi ran the most financially successful campaign in the 48th Senate District, although that can be little solace for falling short on Election Day.

The Watertown attorney dominated his Democratic opponent, state Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, Cape Vincent, in almost every fundraising category. Individuals both inside and outside the district gave more to Mr. Renzi than they did to Mr. Aubertine. The Republican collected more money from politicians and political action committees than the incumbent. He also was better aided by his party committee.

Despite these apparent advantages, Mr. Renzi fell to Mr. Aubertine by 5,965 votes in the three-county race. The estimated combined cost of the race was $3,049,416.13. The estimated combined cost of the February special election for this seat was $3,987,479.07.

Mr. Renzi raised $1,271,678.90 during his 167-day campaign, according to final campaign finance reports released Monday. The Senate Republican Campaign Committee, Albany, spent an additional $479,983 on his behalf.

Mr. Aubertine raised $621,560.88 during his 56-day campaign, while the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, New York City, spent an additional $703,507.20 on his behalf.

Not surprisingly, the figures for each candidate's campaign account are slanted heavily to party contributions.

The state Senate Republican Campaign Committee sent $1,041,450 to Mr. Renzi during the campaign, while the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee transferred $539,429 to Mr. Aubertine during his re-election bid.

Both candidates spent most of that money on television ads.

Mr. Renzi made 14 payments totaling $1,025,630.44 to Scott Howell & Co. LLP, Alexandria, Va.

Mr. Aubertine made eight payments totaling $509,429 to GSG Communications, New York City. He paid an additional $5,500 to A-Political, the outfit of New York City ad man Jimmy Siegel, for production of a TV spot.

The Democrat also paid $30,000 to Mark Guma Communications, New York City, for radio advertising.

Mr. Renzi and Mr. Aubertine were far from the only candidates on the airwaves. Broadcasting & Cable, a television industry trade magazine, reported Tuesday that $2.5 billion to $2.7 billion was spent on political ads this election season.

In total, Mr. Renzi spent $1,252,221.87 during the campaign. Mr. Aubertine spent $613,704.06. Money Mr. Renzi did not spend on television ads went primarily toward polling, consulting work and campaign literature. Mr. Aubertine spent money on office supplies and rent, postage and promotional materials and to pay temporary workers for a get-out-the-vote initiative around Election Day.

Mr. Renzi was able to raise more money locally. The Republican took in $30,800 from individuals who live in the district, which encompasses Jefferson and Oswego counties and half of St. Lawrence County. Mr. Aubertine collected $8,750 from the same group.

Mr. Renzi also took in $6,450 from local corporations and $16,666 from local politicians and political action committees. Mr. Aubertine received $1,175 and $8,771, respectively, from those groups.

Mr. Renzi's campaign account had a balance of $19,457.03 as of Monday. Mr. Aubertine had $7,856.82 to carry toward an assumed re-election bid in 2010.

There are two other campaign accounts related to the 48th Senate District that are still active.

Barclay for Senate, the campaign account established for Assemblyman William A. Barclay's failed Senate bid against Mr. Aubertine in February, has an estimated $165,637 remaining. Friends of Jim Wright, the campaign account of the former Republican senator from Watertown, has an estimated $42,817 remaining.