Candidate raises $345,000 to Sweeney's $368,000

By Maury Thompson, [email protected] [1], The Post Star, Updated: 4/5/2006, 8:45:45PM

Democratic congressional candidate Kirsten Gillibrand raised almost as much money over the past three months as incumbent U.S. Rep. John Sweeney, but still trails the incumbent Republican from Clifton Park in total cash raised.

Gillibrand, a lawyer from Hudson, announced Tuesday her campaign raised $345,000 between Jan. 1 and March 31, brining the total amount raised for the campaign to $716,000.

"We've had an outpouring of support throughout the district and from around the country," she said in a telephone interview.

About 400 of around 1,000 contributors live in the 20th District, she said.

Sweeney announced his campaign raised $368,000 in the quarter, bringing the total amount raised in this election cycle to $1.085 million.

Detailed information about campaign contributions will be available when candidates file reports with the Federal Election Commission.

Those reports must be filed by April 15.

Sweeney will be launching a campaign Web site soon, said his spokeswoman Melissa Carlson.

Sweeney, who was not available to comment directly, said in a press release the support he received during his recent hospitalization and illness made him "more determined than ever to keep speaking up and getting things done for the people I am proud to represent."

Asked if this was an indication Sweeney would definitely run for re-election, Carlson said, "There was never any question."

There was speculation in political circles in recent weeks Sweeney might not run for re-election because of health concerns.