Money Mike
County executive Mike Hein got loud applause after pledging $10,000 from his war chest to help elect a Democratic majority in the legislature next month. Hein can afford it. Running unopposed, his campaign coffers top $100,000.
While some of Hein’s contributors might question how he’s spending their money — they donated to Hein, not some no-name in the hinterlands — office-seekers can legally spend campaign funds on almost anything. In 1994, a Republican running against Pat Moynihan for United States Senate bought himself a new Cadillac for the campaign.
In politics, Hein sees only black and white. There are Hein Democrats (as well as Hein Republicans) and there are those in the wilderness. The question for local Democrats is who among them gets Mike’s money?
Alliances shift. After faithfully carrying Hein’s water for three years, legislature minority leader Jeanette Provenzano is currently on the outs after bucking the executive on Golden Hill issues.
Rich Parete, of the ubiquitous Parete clan, seems to be worming his way back to the reservation. Other Parete candidates — poppa John in Olive and brother Rob in Marbletown — probably shouldn’t order any extra lawn signs, however.
Hein will put his money where it matters. There are only a few contested races in a legislature which many predict could go 12-11 either way. Hein, for instance, would be foolish to spend money in Kingston where perennials Provenzano, Pete Loughran and Dave Donaldson face no opposition. New Paltz and Woodstock are safe.
Were “the farm boy from Esopus” to bet the farm, he might put a boodle on former legislator Tracy Bartels in Gardiner, currently waging a down-to-the-wire pick-’em against popular incumbent Republican Jack Hayes. Born-again Roscoe Pecora in Esopus could probably use some juice against first-termer Carl Belfiglio. Saugerties likes Hein; there could be some trickle-down there.
Victory, they say, has many fathers. Hein, who isn’t shy about meddling in legislative politics, has placed himself in a position to be somebody’s daddy.++
Hugh Reynolds’ column appears weekly.
