Community Groups, Local Residents Protest Amedore’s Top Dollar Fundraiser

After Historical Opposition to Campaign Finance Reform, New Data Shows Amedore’s Senate Campaign Received $112,000 in Big Real Estate Contributions

Groups Highlight the Importance of Fair Elections for New York

Schenectady, NY – Community and labor groups, along with residents of the newly carved out State Senate District 46, protested outside of Assemblyman and State Senate candidate George Amedore’s top-dollar fundraiser at the Mohawk Golf Club. Those gathered revealed new data showing that since January 1, 2012, about 50% of campaign funds accepted by George Amedore came from just 24 contributions, including $112,000 from real estate, development, and construction related businesses, firms, and organizations.

“Our region is suffering and still recovering from Hurricane Irene while Assemblyman George Amedore is collecting big money from CEO campaign contributors,” said Steve Wickham, a resident of the 46th Senatorial district. “These contributions highlight how important it is for New York to have Fair Elections campaign finance reform. What are all of these real estate developers trying to buy? We need elected representatives who are accountable to their constituents, not bought by big time real estate investors.”

The current campaign finance system allows for candidates to bankroll their campaigns with huge contributions from those with a financial interest in their election. George Amedore has historically voted against reforms to this system that would empower small donors.

“George Amedore’s campaign is yet another example of just how broken the current campaign finance system in New York is,” said Mark Emanatian, Capital District Organizer of Citizen Action of New York. “We need comprehensive reform of our campaign finance system, including public financing of elections. We need to stop the dominance of CEO campaign cash, put hard-working families back in control of elections, and encourage small donor participation and more direct engagement with voters.”

Since January 1, 2012, George Amedore’s Senate campaign has taken in $300,258.93 through 316 contributions. Of those contributions, 24 are in amounts over $5,000, but make up over 50% of the cash he’s raised, totaling $152,274.69.

A closer look at the 24 contributions over $5,000 shows that 17 of them have come from real estate, developers, and construction corporations, firms, and organizations. Those 17 contributions total $112,000, or 37% of the money Amedore has taken in since the first of this year.

“These contributions paint a clear picture of how flawed our campaign finance system is and the desperate need for Fair Elections in New York,” said Betty Head, a resident of the 46th senatorial district and a member of MoveOn. “24 people should not be able to determine who represents the residents of this district just because they are capable of cutting big checks.”

Following is a list of the 24 contributions of $5,000 or more to George Amedore’s campaign since January 1, 2012. The contributors who are realty, developer, or construction related are bolded.

For more information on Fair Elections for New York, visit http://fairelectionsny.org.

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