STATEN ISLAND — James Oddo, Republican candidate for Staten Island borough president, has a sizable lead in campaign funds compared to his two Democratic opponents, campaign finance records show.
According to the Campaign Finance Board's latest deadline to file contributions, Oddo, a member of the City Council representing the Mid-Island district, has $354,364 in his war chest, much of it from 2007 when Oddo first eyed the seat.
His finances dwarf those of his Democratic opponents Richard Luthmann and Lou Liedy, who both disclosed their first campaign finances to the board on the July 11 deadline. Luthmann collected $10,000 and Liedy, a retired public school teacher, took in $4,730, according to the Campaign Finance Board.
Oddo originally planned to run for borough president in 2009, but stepped aside when current Borough President James Molinaro's term limits were extended, he said when he announced his candidacy in May.
The largely Republican borough hasn’t elected a Democrat for the borough president's office in nearly 30 years, but Luthmann, a lawyer, previously said he aims to offer a change from the old guard if elected.
"I am running to be the borough president because the people of Staten Island deserve better choices than what the old party bosses on this island serve up year in and year out," Luthmann said.
