McHugh can aid would-be GOP successor

WASHINGTON — Republicans running for Rep. John M. McHugh's congressional seat may like him for his coattails — but they'll love him for his money.

Mr. McHugh had nearly $170,000 in campaign cash at the end of March, and while he cannot legally give all of it to a candidate, he can find ways to send thousands of dollars in that direction at a time when Republicans are having trouble raising money.

The popular and regularly re-elected congressman is set to give up his seat if confirmed as Army secretary, which could happen before the August congressional recess.

As of March 31, Mr. McHugh had $169,788 in his campaign war chest, reflecting $76,047 collected for the 2010 election cycle so far, but also showing the effect of some heavy spending in his last race. His collections in April and May will be reflected on the next quarterly report from the FEC.

Federal election law allows Mr. McHugh to give no more than $2,000 during each election — primary and general — to a single candidate. But he can give unlimited amounts to national committees such as the National Republican Congressional Committee, which in turn can give as much as $5,000. He also can give unlimited amounts to state and local political committees, which can then give up to $5,000, the FEC reported.

And, he can give up to $5,000 per year to a political action committee, which can then give up to $5,000 or $2,400, depending whether the PAC has more than 50 contributors and gives to at least five candidates.

All of those numbers may prove small if the race appears close enough that national parties become involved. In the special election to fill Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand's House seat earlier this year, the winner, Scott Murphy, spent about $2 million. The Republican, James Tedisco, spent about $1.4 million.

That's far more than Mr. McHugh ever spent to win re-election, and it required plenty of money from outside the congressional district. It also reflects national parties' thinking that the seat was within reach for either, and the Republicans' belief the Democratic victory there in 2006 was a fluke. Whether that thinking plays in the 23rd Congressional District remains to be seen.

The same is true of the last two elections for the state Senate seat held by Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent. Last year, Mr. Aubertine raised $621,560, most of which came from the state Democratic Senate Campaign Committee; his opponent, David A. Renzi, raised about twice as much and also was reliant on state Republicans. The state Republican Senate Campaign Committee poured more than $1 million into his campaign.

The special election months earlier for that seat was even more expensive, costing both sides a total of $4.33 million.

Still, the congressman managed to spend more than $400,000 last year in a race that was not hotly contested. That may reflect surprisingly high campaign costs in such a rural area. The expansive district includes several media markets, including Syracuse, Utica, Albany, Watertown and Plattsburgh. Flying to the region is notoriously expensive, and driving through it eats up gallons of gas.