Incumbents with commanding financial lead

The local state Assembly incumbent has an average $8,299 lead over his or her opponent.
In the two contested state Senate races, the fundraising gap is $213,313.
According to filings with state Board of Elections, all of the incumbents in local races have a solid financial lead going into the Nov. 6 general election.
Even unopposed incumbents such as Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, D - Utica, have raised money, setting themselves up with a full bank account to take on a future campaign challenger.
The fundraising lead is not out of the ordinary. Incumbents typically have a pot of money from their previous campaigns, name recognition and an established network of donors.
The longer an incumbent has been in office, the larger the campaign funds stockpile becomes.
For example:
• State Sen. James Seward, R - Milford, who was first elected in 1986, has more than $286,000 on hand. His challenger, Howard Leib, an attorney from Dryden, has $2,013.66 with a month to go.
• State Sen. Hugh Farley, R - Niskayuna, who represents part of Herkimer County, has $126,697 in his account. He was first elected in 1976.
• In the 101st Assembly district, Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney, R - New Hartford, has a solid fundraising lead despite keeping only two towns out of her old 116th district. Tenney, who loaned her campaign $30,000 in July, has $9,275.51 on hand. Her opponent, Democrat Daniel Carter, has raised $180.
• Brindisi and Assemblyman Kenneth Blankenbush, R - Black River, along with state Sens. Joseph Griffo, R - Rome, and David Valesky, D - Oneida are running unopposed.
Here’s a look at the figures:
101ST ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
• Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney, R - New Hartford:
Opening balance: $4,768.51
Total receipts: $6,420.50
Total expenses: $1,913.50
Closing balance: $9,275.51
• Daniel Carter
Opening balance: $0
Total receipts: $180
Total expenses: $0
Closing balance: $180
117TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
• Assemblyman Kenneth Blankenbush, R - Black River:
Opening balance: $17,599.97
Total receipts: $2,361
Total expenses: $5,376.15
Closing balance: $14,584.82
118TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
• Assemblyman Marc Butler, R - Newport
Opening balance: $ 4,110.62
Total receipts: $15,440
Total expenses: $ 14,858.65
Closing balance: $ 4,691.97
• Joseph Chilelli
Opening balance: $200
Total receipts: $1,845
Total expenses: $ 199.49
Closing balance: $ 1,845.51
119TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
• Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, D - Utica
Opening balance: $44,320.06
Total receipts: $12,232.97
Total expenses: $28,399.13
Closing balance: $28,153.90
121ST ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
• Assemblyman William Magee, D - Nelson
Opening balance: $11,270.38
Total receipts: $15,910.00
Total expenses: $13,006.87
Closing balance: $14,173.51
• Levi Spires
Opening balance: $1,541.95
Total receipts: $6,680
Total expenses: $5,160.40
Closing balance: $3,061.55
47TH SENATE DISTRICT
• State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R - Rome
Opening balance: $270,558.05
Total receipts: $18,006.69
Total expenses: $32,936.97
Closing balance: $255,627.77
49TH SENATE DISTRICT
• State Sen. Hugh Farley, R - Niskayuna
Opening balance: $117,144.72
Total receipts: $ 22,045
Total expenses: $12,492.35
Closing balance: $126,697.37
• Madelyn Thorne
Opening balance: $0
Total receipts: $ 10,569
Total expenses: $7,413.64
Closing balance: $3,155.36
51ST SENATE DISTRICT
• State Sen. James Seward, R - Milford
Opening balance: $ 286,564.11
Total receipts: $35,755
Total expenses: $17,222.93
Closing balance: $305,096.18
• Howard Leib
Opening balance: $150
Total receipts: $8,843
Total expenses: $6,979.34
Closing balance: $2,013.66
53RD SENATE DISTRICT
• State Sen. David Valesky, D - Oneida
Opening balance: $245,468.48
Total receipts: $47,196.73
Total expenses: $31,755.65
Closing balance: $260,909.56