King Has Spending Money, But Less Incentive, for a New York Senate Run

CQ Politics
Emily Cadei
July 15, 2009

Republican Rep. Peter T. King's recent ascension to a slot on the House Intelligence Committee makes it less likely he will run for New York Senate, but he has a solid spending base, should he decide to take the plunge.

King's congressional campaign fund reported raising $1.3 million in the bank at the end of June. He raised $246,000 in the second quarter of 2009.

That's nowhere near Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's $2.3 million first quarter fundraising total, or the $2.2 million she has on hand, but it is does put him on par with another likely candidate, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, who reported $1.3 million cash on hand at the end of March. Neither Gillibrand nor Maloney has disclosed their second quarter fundraising totals, which are due by midnight tonight.

King has been viewed as the Republican most likely to mount a general election challenge to whichever woman emerges from the Democratic primary, and his decision to stay in the House could leave the GOP without a top-tier candidate.

Former Gov. George Pataki has also expressed interest in the Senate seat, but has not taken any concrete steps to mount a campaign, generating skepticism that he truly wants to run.

Should a Democratic primary between Gillibrand and Maloney turn into a heated affair, however, more than a few Republicans may take a second look at the race.