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"State Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, holds a wide fundraising edge over her Nov. 6 opponent, Democrat Amy M. Tresidder.
According to campaign finance documents filed this week, Mrs. Ritchie raised about $87,000 so far in 2012, and has $109,000 cash on hand. Mrs. Tresidder, an Oswego County legislator, raised about $20,000 and has about $16,000 to spend on her insurgent campaign.
Roughly half of Mrs. Ritchies haul $47,000 came from political action committees, corporations and unions. Individuals gave $31,160. The PACs, corporations and unions who gave to Mrs. Ritchies campaign were mostly from downstate, while most individual donors were within the district.
Michael J. Falcone, a Syracuse real estate developer who gave $7,500, and Donald S. Erenberg, a New York City financial executive who gave $9,500, were the biggest individual donors to Mrs. Ritchie.
Were going to be talking to voters directly about what shes achieved and the record shes amassed, said Graham Wise, Mrs. Ritchies chief of staff. Were confident that we will have the resources going forward to do that.
Mr. Wise said that Mrs. Ritchie had several upcoming fundraisers.
Mrs. Tresidder said she wasnt surprised about the financial disparity and seemed reluctant to make up for it.
Her largest single donor group was relatives. Ernest Tresidder gave $10,000 to her campaign, as did several other relatives.
But she said she wont accept money from the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee or downstate political action committees, preferring to cultivate a local donor base.
If that means Im not considered viable, Mrs. Tresidder said,Im OK with that. Its up to the people to vote. Im in it for them. Im not going to sell my soul to be a state senator.