AOC and Hakeem Jeffries leading NY House money race

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez led New York state’s House delegation in the first-quarter money race this year — with both candidates netting seven-figure sums to add to their already swollen campaign war chests.

Jeffries, now the top Democratic leader in the House, netted a staggering $3,676,281 in cash donations and infusions from other campaign committees, according to Federation Election Commission data.

Socialist AOC raked in $1,268,221, mostly powered by her army of small-dollar contributors.

No. 3 in the state was freshman Rep. Pat Ryan (D-Orange County), who reported $1,155,020.

Among AOC’s largest donors was Ananda Lima, a Chicago-based photographer, who gave $5,000, and California-based actress Wendy Vanden Heuvel, who donated $2,900.

Vanden Heuvel is the sister of Katrina Vanden Heuvel — publisher of the far-left magazine The Nation.

AOC also received $1,000 from Vagina Monologues author Eve Ensler — who is now known by the name V and in the past has been a strong supporter of far-left billionaire George Soros.

Jeffries’ largest donors included Cipriani Vice President Stefania Girombelli, who ponied up $6,600, and Kathy Ruttenberg, a visual artist, who donated $5,000.

Jeffries’ campaign committee reported more than $4 million cash on hand at the end of the first quarter, while AOC’s reported more than $5 million.

The two members — both representing safe Democratic constituencies — will likely spread the wealth with fellow Dems.

“Leader Jeffries’ haul shows that he is a prodigious fundraiser and that’s exactly what the Democratic Party in New York needs right now,” said Jon Reinish, a New York-based Democratic strategist. “Jeffries takes his responsibility to distribute money across the caucus seriously.”

Republican members of Congress took six out of the top 10 spots among the state’s biggest fundraisers, with House GOP Conference Chairwoman Rep. Elise Stefanik leading the pack, raising $1,117,318.

But a Republican was also dead last among the state’s fundraisers.

Rep. George Santos (R-Long Island), dogged by reports that he lied about his professional and personal life, raised just $5,333.

He is currently facing federal charges of fraud and money laundering. 

Strategists in both parties have credited the GOP’s performance in New York for giving them their narrow house majority and the Empire State is certain to become a money flashpoint in the months ahead.

House Majority PAC, which is dedicated to electing Democrats, has vowed to spend $45 million to oust as many as six freshman Republicans in the Empire State.

“New York is going to be hyper-competitive in 2024, especially on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley,” said one top statewide Democratic fundraiser. “Democrats are going to have the edge because there is going to be a national focus on New York which has not happened in recent cycles. and the leader is from New York and all eyes are going to be on Long Island.”

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