Elmont Online

ALBANY -- Dan McCoy is running unopposed for Albany County executive on the Democratic line, and he has spent $173,762 so far. He figures he'll have $100,000 in the bank after Nov. 8.

Why the need to gather and spend campaign dollars? "It's about the next election," McCoy said.

McCoy said he used some of his own fundraising power to help fellow Democrats in tough down-ballot races. His committee, Friends of Daniel P. McCoy, has contributed to Colonie Democrats who are backing incumbent Supervisor Paula Mahan in a hard-fought battle with Republican challenger Denise Sheehan.

Ads for McCoy might also draw turnout that could also help fellow Democrats in town races.

County elections may not attract national headlines, but they generate lots of campaign contributions, as depicted in an analysis from the New York Public Interest Research Group showing what local political committees have spent in the current cycle.

Between Jan. 12 and Oct. 24, local committees backing candidates in county races spent $51.7 million.

McCoy isn't the only county executive candidate who's pouring money into a campaign that lacks an opponent.

Incumbent Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney, a Republican running unopposed, has spent $166,277.

Observers expressed surprise at the total amount of local spending in New York.

"Wow -- that's a lot," said Mary Boyle, spokeswoman for Common Cause, which advocates for campaign finance reform.

Boyle said spending by unopposed candidates could be a way to warn off potential challengers in future races, signaling that they would have an uphill fight against a well-funded incumbent.

"It's a way to say, 'Don't even think about challenging me,'" Boyle said. "It helps their standing and influence."

Big-spending incumbents don't necessarily fly under the radar. Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause's state branch, noted the spending by Erie County incumbent executive Chris Collins, a Republican, has become something of a hot topic in the Buffalo area. His committee, Collins for Our Future, has spent $1.1 million, second only to Suffolk County Democratic executive candidate Steve Bellone's committee, which spent $1.9 million.

McCoy realizes people criticize campaign spending, but he says there are expectations that he'll help fellow candidates. And there is always that next election cycle looming.

"It's a doubled-edged sword," he said.

Reach Karlin at 454-5758 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .