Katz Inches Closer to Vallone Funding Totals

Melinda Katz is continuing her bid for the Borough President's office, and after the Ides of March she's $100,000 richer.

March 15 was the fundraising disclosure deadline, with Katz revealing a more than $100,000 take during the filing period. Her total funds raised — more than $400,000, is the closest to, but still miles away, excluding matching funds.

"I am grateful to all the supporters for my candidacy for Queens Borough President, and I am encouraged by our fundraising success," Katz said in a statement. "Our continued success demonstrates that my message is being well-received by voters. I look forward to continuing to speak to residents about balancing economic opportunities with the needs of the community."  

So far, Katz has accepted more than $300,000 in matching funds for the race, on top of the money she's raised herself. The matching funds, right now, are the only thing keeping her within sniffing distance of Vallone's more than $1 million bankroll.

Vallone announced his candidacy for the office earlier this month at an event with Queens County Democratic Chair Joe Crowley. 

Jose Peralta, a central Queens Democrat, raised the most during the filing period, with $110,000. His total, however, doesn't stack up with Katz's. 

Leroy Comrie, a City Councilman and Democrat Leroy Comrie, has yet to announce his total for the filing period, but his campaign took a hit recently when the Rev. Floyd Flake — an important clergyman and former congressman in his district — endorsed Katz.