Doheny says he has $636K balance for NY-23, despite showing on FEC report

Watertown Republican Matthew A. Doheny is asking us to pay no mind to a FEC year-end report released today that shows him with $336,844.76 on hand for the 23rd Congressional District race. The businessman said he has raised more than $150,000 in January - and put an additional $150,000 of his own money in the bank. His balance is now $636,844.76, he says.

Mr. Doheny started his account with $500,000 of his own money, so his total contribution to his campaign in the last year is $650,000.

In his year-end report, he tallied $11,745 in contributions between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. I'm sure Dan Francis would be mad at me if I didn't note that $850 of that tally came from within the district. (There's also $800 in "cash miscellaneous" - small dollar contributions - that may have also come from here.)

Mr. Doheny had $9,639 in expenses, including $3,086 paid to Jennifer Kelly, Morristown, for administrative work and reimbursements; $2,000 paid to Julia C. Robbins, Sackets Harbor, for consulting; and $1,745 to the Italian-American Civic Association, Watertown, for hosting his Dec. 15 fundraiser.

Ms. Robbins is a former spokeswoman for state Sen. James W. Wright, R-Watertown, and has been working in a similar capacity for Mr. Doheny, who has not officially announced his candidacy. The report also lists a $695.18 payment to Mira Lezell, a former legislative assistant for Rep. John M. McHugh, for "travel expenses."

Mr. McHugh, R-Pierrepont Manor, was the district's representative until he resigned Sept. 21 to become Army secretary. Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, is the current seat holder. He had $192,839 on hand as of Nov. 23, according to the FEC.

Douglas L. Hoffman, the Lake Placid accountant who is also considering a bid for the Republican nomination, had $291,628 on hand as of Nov. 23, according to FEC reports.

Spokesmen for both Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Owens say their candidate's year-end reports are still being compiled as of Friday afternoon, so they are not yet available. (The due date is technically Sunday.)

Assemblyman William A. Barclay, R-Pulaski, is still exploring a bid, so he's not yet subject to reporting contributions and expenses to the FEC. I'd imagine it's the same with Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun, although I haven't yet confirmed that.

Here's Mr. Doheny's statement in full: