Carl Paladino may be a new candidate, but he is not a newcomer to political donations.

A Buffalo News analysis of his federal, state and local donations over the past 10 years shows he has poured more than $452,000 into a wide assortment of candidates, including many with far more liberal leanings than his.

The donations come directly from Paladino and from at least 18 corporations and partnerships tied to the developer, according to records with the Federal Election Commission and the state Board of Elections. State law limits individual corporation donations, but Paladino has for years used different corporate entities he controls to keep within those legal limits.

The breadth of Paladino’s giving is remarkable, and stunningly large by Western New York donor standards.

Of the $89,000 in federal donations since the late 1990s, his support has gone to former Republican Reps. Jack Quinn Jr. and Bill Paxon, along with heavy donations to former Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, R-Clarence, and current Rep. Chris Lee, R-Clarence, with at least $7,100 from Paladino. Republican Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign got $14,600 from Paladino.

Paladino criticized Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy—a rival for the GOP gubernatorial nod—for giving $650 to the fund that supports Democratic Assembly candidates. But records show Paladino has given to some of those same candidates.

“I’ve been consistently, consistently, consistently disappointed,” Paladino says now. “I’m not giving to them any more. I’ll give to myself.”

Paladino has given to such Democratic stalwarts as presidential contenders Hillary Rodham Clinton, Richard Gephardt, John Kerry and Al Gore, a favorite “tea party” whipping boy. Besides $4,600 to Clinton’s presidential campaign, Paladino gave $5,100 to her Senate bankroll, and he gave Sen. Charles E. Schumer $1,000 last June.

Paladino donated to Rep. Brian Higgins— at least $8,100, including as late as last June. This does not include money sent Higgins’ way when he was in the Assembly.

“I shared his Harvard tuition with [M&T Bank Chairman] Bob Wilmers,” Paladino said of Higgins’ stint at the JFK School of Government. “I believed in the kid. I was disappointed.”

Other Democratic recipients include Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, D-Fairport, and former Rep. Eric J. J. Massa, D-Corning.

Most of his money went to state and local Democrats and Republicans, state records dating back the past 10 years show.

State Sen. Michael H. Ranzenhofer got at least $13,500 as a senator and county legislator, and South Council Member Michael P. Kearns received at least $9,000. Paladino has given $33,000 to the Erie County Republican Party, and $11,000 to the Erie County Democratic Party—which rents space for its headquarters in his Ellicott Square.

Paladino donated at least $17,675 to County Executive Chris Collins, and last Oct. 19— using several of his many corporate entities— steered $10,000 to Taxpayers First, a Collins’ political action committee.

But his biggest recipient is former Gov. George E. Pataki, who got at least $52,000 from Paladino. Disgraced former Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer received $17,900 in Paladino money.