Quinn leads mayoral hopefuls in fundraising, taps celeb money

 

(Original Link)

7/16/2012

By Ivan Pereira

 

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn hasn’t declared a run for the city’s top political spot yet but she is leading the pack with her war chest and celebrity backing.

Candidates for the 2013 citywide elections updated their contribution numbers Monday with the Campaign Finance Board.

Several of the mayoral hopefuls, including Quinn, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and City Comptroller John Liu, didn’t list what they will be running for, but most have raked in more than a $2 million.

Quinn received the most money so far, with more than $5 million, according to the records.

Some of her financial backers include Tom Hanks, who gave $500 and “Sopranos” actress Lorraine Bracco, who donated $2,500.

De Blasio raised $2.8 million so far and Stringer has collected $2.69 million so far. Liu has raked in roughly $2.6 million for his mayoral campaign, records show.

Disgraced Congressman Anthony Weiner has $5.1 million in his campaign finance account, but hasn’t raised money in three years, records show.

Weiner, who is seriously mulling a run for mayor or public advocate according to published reports, has spent $641,511 so far for his campaign.