Campaigns Get Clubbed

By Jarrett Murphy Tue., Sep. 6 2005 at 3:30 PM

In its latest batch of campaign finance filings, the Gifford Miller campaign disclosed a check for $5,000 to the Guy Brewer Democratic club for "petition office." Combined with an earlier $1,000 disbursement to the Wesley Democratic Club for "campaign workers," Miller appears to top all other candidates in financial support for clubhouses; Bronx Beep Adolfo Carrion is next with $5,200.

Among mayoral candidates, Fields lists about $2,400 in money to a host of clubs and Anthony Weiner made a single $4,000 donation to the John E. Ruiz club. (Ferrer 's filings contain no mention of checks to clubs). In the public advocate race, Betsy Gotbaum has dished $4,700 to clubs, to Norm Siegel's $25.

Altogether, city campaigns have pumped $90,000 into the coffers of clubs around the city. Some of the candidates' checks to clubs are contributions, while others are for renting office space or other services. Among political clubs, the Brewer club in Queens has done the best so far this campaign season with nearly $8,500 in revenue from campaigns.

But let's face it: When clubbing, there are snazzier places to go than the local politicos' hangout. That's why a CFB search for expenditures on "clubs" reveals that the 2005 campaign has been waged from the Harvard Club to the Park Avenue Country Club to the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, where Mayor Mike's campaign spent $101,000 on events.

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