Tocci Funded by PACs & Lobbyists
Campaign Finance Records Reveal that Tocci Receives
Most Financial Support form Albany Interest Groups

Bramson’s Support Comes from Individuals Throughout Westchester

Press Release

(October 7, 2002) Although Noam Bramson and Ron Tocci are both running well-financed campaigns, the sources of their campaign funding are quite different and reveal a great deal about their candidacies.

A review of Tocci’s most recent financial disclosure, filed last week, together with previous filings in this election cycle, shows that the great majority – 78% -- of Tocci’s contributions come from Albany lobbyists, PACs, corporations, and political committees. Despite Tocci’s representing the Sound Shore for nine terms, only 14 percent of Tocci’s financial support comes from individuals residing in his current or newly drawn Assembly District.

Tocci’s connection to Albany interest groups has been a cornerstone of his campaign. In a solicitation letter to lobbyists dated July 30, 2002, Tocci wrote, “With past financial support from many friends in the lobbying community and their clients, I have been able to serve the residents of Westchester County's Sound Shore as their Assemblyman for eighteen years.... At this time, I would be greatly appreciative of as generous a contribution that you and your clients can afford.”

Bramson’s support, on the other hand, has come mostly from the Sound Shore and from individuals. Nearly 55 percent of Bramson’s contributions originated from cities, towns and villages wholly or partially within the 91st Assembly District. Altogether, Bramson has received more than 90 percent of his support from individuals.

“A member of the Assembly should be our community’s representative to Albany, not vice versa,” said Bramson. “It is troubling that Mr. Tocci is so heavily dependent on special interest support, and even more troubling that he is willing to accept donations from groups like the National Rifle Association and big tobacco, which have done so much to threaten public health and safety.”

Since 1986, Tocci has accepted a total of at least $2775 from tobacco interests and $1,500 from the National Rifle Association. The NRA Political Victory Fund reported an additional $250 contribution on April 8th of this year – a contribution the Tocci campaign has yet to disclose.

“I will be a strong, independent voice for the values and communities of the Sound Shore,” added Bramson.

Analysis of Tocci & Bramson Contributions

	Tocci		Bramson
Sums on hand at start of campaign cycle	135,853.76		64,459.20
Total Contributions	181,467.20	100.0%	294,744.18	100.0%
By Category: Individuals	38,491.70	21.21%	266,644.18	90.47%
Corporate	26,915.50	14.83%	10,150.00	3.44%
Other (PAC, Pol Comm)	116,060.00	63.96%	17,950.00	6.09%
By Region: (Individuals)NR, Mam, Rye, Rye Town	25,200.20	13.88%	162,063.18	54.98%

 

Contributor Amount Date

RJ Reynolds $250 7/10/90
Kraft Foods $150 3/16/91
Phillip Morris $200 11/19/92
Phillip Morris $125 9/18/93
Phillip Morris $250 7/28/95
Kraft Foods $250 11/5/96
Phillip Morris $250 11/29/96
Phillip Morris $250 11/20/97
Kraft Foods $250 12/16/97
Smokeless Tobacco Council PAC $250 4/23/98
Smokeless Tobacco Council PAC $300 10/12/99
Phillip Morris $250 12/11/98
Subtotal from Tobacco $2,775

NRA Political Victory Fund $1,000 11/8/86
NRA Political Victory Fund $250 3/19/99
NRA Political Victory Fund $250 4/28/00
NRA Political Victory Fund $250 4/8/02 (Unreported)
Subtotal from NRA $1,750

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