Israel Has $1.7 million For House or a Possible Senate Campaign
Rep. Steve Israel had a healthy fundraising quarter for a congressman but will need to rev up his efforts if he wants to run for Senate in 2010. Israel, a Democrat representing the 2nd District on Long Island, raised $280,000 in the first three months of 2009 and closed March with $1.7 million, a Congressional aide reported.
Israel has yet to file his first quarter report, which is due to the Federal Election Commission by midnight Wednesday.
Israel had demonstrated his fundraising prowess in past campaigns, raising large sums for the Democratic party as well as for his own safe House seat. He will need to rally his entire fundraising network and then some to mount a credible primary challenge to Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand , and statewide general election campaign, something he has not ruled out.
