18 January 2005
Bruce Jackson
Sam Hoyt's funny-money
New York State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, unannounced but long- and busily-running candidate for Buffalo mayor, issued a press release January 19 claiming his recent campaign filing report shows that he's raised "$197,732; nearly twice as much as his nearest opponent."The press release is true only in the sense that his nearest opponent is probably Byron Brown, who is also long-unannounced-but-busily-running. There are other candidates who are unannounced who aren't running at all, who haven't raised much of anything. And there is the incumbent, Anthony Masiello, who has raised over a million dollars and is about to raise a good deal more at a sold-out $500-a-plate dinner early next month. Masiello didn't mention the million dollars in a current filing report because it was in an earlier filing report.
Hoyt's statement about having raised "nearly twice as much as his nearest opponent" is therefore about as meaningful as the Buffalo Bills saying they're as close to a set of Superbowl rings as their closest competitors: true, but neither of them is going to see a ring this year. What matters in politics, as in Superbowls, is who's first, not who's nearby.
The press release also claims "more than $250,000 in pledges" and announces fund-raising events in several cities. This won't scare off Byron Brown, who is Hoyt's only present competitor of substance for the job if Masiello doesn't run, and it surely won't impress Masiello, but it may give pause to some of the unannounced peripheral candidates. And if Masiello does run, much of Hoyt's pledged $250,000 will evaporate.
The press release also announced the appointment of a new campaign finance director, who may be the source of the release. There was a major shakeup in Hoyt's senior staff recently—either mass flight or a mass firing—so perhaps there's nobody left in the office who understands how much, with Anthony Masiello still actively in the picture, this reads like wishful thinking.
Here's the release in its entirety:
HOYT LEADS ALL CHALLENGERS IN FUNDRAISING
Announces hiring of Finance Director
In the most recent campaign filing reports for the office of the Mayor of Buffalo, Assemblymember Sam Hoyt, who is soon expected to announce his candidacy for Mayor, leads all challengers for the Mayoral race. Hoyt’s combined filings totaled $197,732; nearly twice as much as his nearest opponent.
Hoyt said “These early numbers show that we are on track in order to raise the amount of money necessary to win. These contributions have come from every sector of the city and many suburban areas as well. I am continuing a strong fundraising effort, and expect to see these numbers grow rapidly in the coming weeks.”
In addition to more than $250,000 in pledges, Hoyt has a number of upcoming fundraisers scheduled, including commitments for events in Boston, New York City, Seattle, San Francisco and Albany.
Hoyt also recently hired Catharine Miles-Kania to be his campaign finance director. With years of development experience in the private sector, Catharine will prove to be a strong asset to Hoyt’s fundraising efforts. Hoyt commented “I am delighted to have a professional on my team with the experience Catharine brings. She will work closely with my finance committee to ensure that we achieve our ambitious goals.”
Hoyt concluded “I have long believed that Buffalo is a city worth fighting for, and these figures demonstrate that many people support me as the type of strong, decisive and visionary leader this city needs for the future.”
Copyright 2004 by Buffalo Report, Inc.