Just-released campaign finance filings by the six candidates seeking to represent a broad swath of Brownstone Brooklyn in the City Council show a shift in momentum.
Josh Skaller, a denizen of a reformist Democratic clubhouse, raked in the most money from by far the largest donor pool in the six-month fundraising period ending Jan. 15 compared to his fellow combatants for the Park Slope, Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill seat being vacated by Bill DeBlasio.
Skaller’s records show he raised almost $22,000 from 213 contributors — not exactly Barack Obama numbers, but good enough to boost him to second behind money leader Brad Lander, a Community Board 6 member.
Lander has raised $105,548 to Skaller’s $75,788.
“If you go back and look at other races, the money makes a big difference,” Skaller said to The Brooklyn Paper.
City spending rules permit office-seekers to spend $161,000 in the primary race and another $161,000 during the general election. In this heavily Democratic district, the fiercest fight is to win the Dems’ September primary. The winner typically coasts through the general election in November.
DeBlasio could have run for his seat again, thanks to Mayor Bloomberg’s successful bid to extend term limits. But DeBlasio, one of the most outspoken and tall critics of the term-limit change, opted for the Public Advocate contest.
The other candidates striving to represent the wild 39th district are:
• Bob Zuckerman, executive director of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, who has raised $43,098.
• John Heyer, community liaison for Borough President Markowitz, has raised $18,080.
• Gary Reilly, lawyer and subway advocate, has raised $14,865.
• Craig Hammerman, district manager of Community Board 6, has not yet filed campaign finance documents.
