Erie County Sheriff
Sheriff is big winner of money race
But Howard's challenger, Glascott, is getting a sorely needed boost from Democratic Party
Published: October 27, 2009, 5:16 pm
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Democrat John A. Glascott is getting a much-needed, eleventh-hour boost from his own party but is still losing the fundraising race by a nearly 2-to-1 margin to Republican Sheriff Timothy B. Howard.
A onetime $40,000 contribution from Erie County Democrats gives Glascott's campaign for sheriff an infusion of cash but still leaves him well behind in overall fundraising.
With Election Day only a week away, Howard has raised more than $204,000, according to campaign disclosure reports filed with the state Board of Elections.
Glascott raised $113,000, and more than a third of it came in that single contribution from his own party.
"It's an incredibly important office," Democratic Party Chairman Leonard Lenihan said. "We think it's important that we support a candidate who's qualified and competent."
The money makes it possible for Glascott, who has trailed Howard in fundraising since the start, to buy TV advertising in hopes of raising his name recognition. Until recently, the Cheektowaga police captain was not well known outside his home turf.
Howard, a first-term incumbent, has relied on a wide range of fundraising sources while raising and spending more money than Glascott. Among his biggest monetary supporters are Sheriff's Office employees, most notably his management team.
"People are free to do what they want," said A.J. Baynes, Howard's campaign manager. "And people want to show their support."
Howard also can count on the backing of organized labor — the building trades, operating engineers and iron workers unions each gave him money — as well as some prominent Democrats.
County Legislator Timothy Kennedy, a political force in South Buffalo, is among Howard's biggest Democratic backers.
The Republican also has political supporters in business, including Louis P. Ciminelli, Frey Electric Construction, Great Lakes Concrete, PCC Management, Phillips Lytle law firm and Professional Personnel Management.
As the challenger, Glascott said, he never expected to raise or spend as much money as Howard.
During public appearances, he often jokes about his lack of political experience and notes that, until his campaign for sheriff this year, he could count on one hand the number of political fundraisers he ever attended.
"Do I think we'll match Howard dollar for dollar? No way," Glascott said recently. "Do I think we'll have enough money. Yes, I do."
Glascott's money is coming from several sources, most notably Democratic organizations in Cheektowaga. They range from the Cheektowaga Democratic Finance Committee to the Progressive Democrats of Cheektowaga.
His financial backers also include Town Supervisor Mary F. Holtz and the Cheektowaga Police Club.
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