For decades, Upstate New York Republicans, especially those above Albany, have gone on relentlessly about how we need to “stand up” to all the “Downstate influences” that dominate the state government in Albany, even to the point where they actually advocate for measures as absurd as Upstate secessionist bills. The fact that even The Empire Center, a conservative think tank, has stated on numerous occasions that Upstate New York actually extracts far more tax dollars out of New York City then vise versa, is meaningless. (The Empire Center’s own figures actually show that Upstate receives $1.60 for every dollar paid to the state, while the city only receives 90 cents)
But perhaps all the constant sabre rattling from these Republicans about “standing up” to the New York City influence over Upstate politics is nothing more than empty, meaningless rhetoric. It sure does seem so locally in my own backyard of Saratoga County, where several Republicans, such as Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, State Senator Daphne Jordan and State Assembly candidate David Catalfamo, all appear to be more than happy to build alliances with rich, elite, Downstaters when it’s convenient for them.
NY-21: One Of Elise Stefanik’s Biggest Bankroller Is The New York City Hedge Fund Firm OF Billionaire Paul Singer
According to data obtained from the Center For Responsive Politics who operates the website, OpenSecrets.org, Elise Stefanik’s single largest donor throughout her entire political career are associates and employees of Elliott Management, the Manhattan hedge fund firm of vulture capitalist Paul Singer. From 2013 through 2020, Stefanik has received $213,482 in total from Elliot Management employees.
As a matter of fact, as I detailed in a diary more than two years ago, Stefanik was the second highest recipient of hedge fund money in the House of Representative between 2014-2018, only trailing former House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Over the past few years, Elise Stefanik has quite handsomely paid back the New York City financial sector by voting to gut most of the consumer protections that were put into place after the 2007 financial crisis, including removing restrictions on predatory lenders that issue payday loans and eliminating rules that prohibit banks from engaging in risky investments (HR 10, 6/8/17).
NY-SD-43: The Billionaire Heir To The Estee Lauder Fortune Now Swoops In At The Last Minute To Try To Salvage Vulnerable GOP State Senator Daphne Jordan
Republican State Senator Daphne Jordan really hasn’t had a good month. She first received a raft of criticism from many of her constituents for refusing to debate her Democratic challenger Patrick Nelson, and then she was awarded the annual “Oil Slick Award” by the watchdog group Environmental Advocates Action of New York, which sought to draw attention to her poor voting record on environmental and public health issues. Now, with the election quickly approaching, Daphne may grasping for the panic button.
Enter New York City billionaire Ronald Lauder, who may actually try to save the day for Senator Jordan at the very last minute. Lauder, the heir to Estee Lauder fortune, began purchasing advertising on Friday promoting Jordan and attacking Patrick Nelson.
Lauder’s actions clearly don’t sit well with Nelson.
A press release from Patrick Nelson for State Senate:
Just days after Daphne Jordan accused “New York City liberals” of trying to “steal” her Senate seat (see attached), a super PAC funded by New York City billionaire Ronald Lauder dropped $28,500 to boost her campaign, according to the New York State Board of Elections campaign finance disclosure website:
“She accuses me of being bankrolled by downstate party bosses, which is completely false. You can ask them,” said Jordan’s opponent, Patrick Nelson. “My entire tenure on the state Democratic committee has been in opposition to those very bosses. I have been standing up for Upstate issues.”
“Meanwhile, she’s actually bankrolled by a downstate billionaire who is trying to save her failing campaign by buying this seat for the least productive senator in district history,” Nelson continued. “Mr. Lauder doesn’t care if our district has a good representative or not, so long as that representative votes his way. He knows Daphne Jordan will and I won’t. Unlike Daphne Jordan, I actually stand up and fight for Upstate interests and will do so in the Senate. Daphne’s downstate billionaire friends don’t want that.”
“We need to fix our broken, corrupt campaign finance system so that billionaires can’t buy elections,” Nelson said.
So far, Daphne Jordan doesn’t really have anything to say about a New York City billionaire now trying to influence the outcome of our local election here in Upstate New York. Yes, this is the same Daphne Jordan that has essentially made an Upstate secession bill one of her hallmark pieces of legislation this term. Would Jordan, with all of her supposed hatred of the New York City elites, be willing to “secede” away all her financial support from Lauder? Probably not.
NY-AD-113: David Catalfamo Raises Money Down In Manhattan, Even As He Rails Against New York City’s Influence In Upstate Politics
Republican State Assembly candidate David Catalfamo has made “Upstate Matters” his campaign theme, which essentially insinuates that the state government doesn’t really care about anything north of the Putnam County line. For months, he’s been attacking the Democratic incumbent, Carrie Woerner, as being in the pocket of New York City interests. However, the irony is that it wasn’t Carrie Woerner that was traveling downstate last summer to hold big fundraisers for her next campaign.
Last June, the “Upstate Matters” candidate held a big fundraiser with former Republican Governor George Pataki at the Empire Steakhouse on East 50th Street in Manhattan. Would Catalfamo ever let his rural Tea Party supporters know about this event as he continually vows to take on New York City in his social media posts? Probably not.