Vallones Lead Fundraising in Races for City Council, Borough President

Campaign finance records released last week revealed that the Vallone brothers are leading fundraising efforts in the races for northeast Queens’s Council seat and borough president.

Earlier this month, Flushing attorney Paul Vallone announced his plan to challenge Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, to his seat this fall.

Vallone, whose brother is Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., has already raised $34,700 in the race, according to campaign finance records.

Halloran has raised a total $24,035.

Democratic state committeeman Matthew Silverstein has brought in $8,654 in the race. Former state Assemblyman John Duane, who has been mentioned as a potential candidate in the race, raised $35,270 in 2012.

Austin Shaffran, an aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo who is believed to be eyeing the seat, is currently not listed in city campaign finance records.

Meanwhile, Peter Vallone Jr., D-Astoria, is leading the fundraising charge in the borough president race.

As of Jan. 15, he has brought in a whopping $1,016,948.

Former state Assemblywoman and Councilwoman Melinda Katz is currently running second in terms of fundraising with $280,844, while state Sen. Jose Peralta, D-Jackson Heights, has raised $134,680.

Other contenders for the seat include City Councilman Leroy Comrie, D-St. Albans, ($61,151), Deputy Queens Borough President Barry Grodenchik ($56,773) and state Sen. Tony Avella, D-Bayside, ($6,857).

To view fundraising records, visit the New York City Campaign Finance Board’s website.