Paul Newell: Democrat for Assembly

For Immediate Release - September 2, 2008 -

Paul Newell's grassroots fundraising outpaces Silver's lobby money by two-to-one.

New York, NY- Paul Newell, the insurgent Democrat challenging Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, has raised more than twice as much money as Silver in the most recent filing period -- and has done so without taking any money from the lobbyists and PACs that fill Silver's coffers.

"The momentum is shifting rapidly in this race," said Newell. "Downtown voters understand that change is very much possible in New York State and they have shown that by re-upping their support of an Albany unswayed by corporate contributions."

Newell, who was recently endorsed by The New York Times and the New York Post, raised $40,015 in the most recent filing period compared to Silver's $19,575.

"It is not just the total numbers that are important" explained Evan Hutchison, Newell's campaign manager, "but where the money came from that matters. This is truly a grassroots campaign and these filings bear that out

Newell's funds came from 165 individuals, 139 of whom gave $100 or less. Newell took no corporate, lobbyist or PAC contributions. By contrast, 77% of Sheldon Silver's contributions came from corporate, PAC and lbbyist contributions, with most of the money coming from the real estate and insurance industries. Indeed, Silver received contributions from only five individuals. Silver's largest individual contributions came from California real estate tycoon Joel S. Marcus and Albany lobbyist William Y. Crowell, III. Crowell's clients include Forest City Ratner -- which has benefitted from Silver's strong support for its Atlantic Yards and Beekman Tower projects, and the Metropolitan Parking Association -- which lobbied hard against congestion pricing prior to Silver's quashing of the legislation. Newell has been a strong critic of Silver's relationship with Ratner as well as a vocal advocate for congestion pricing.

Crowell is employed by the Albany lobbying firm Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker LLP. Coincidentally, this is the same firm that until recently employed another candidate in the race, Luke Henry. Mr. Henry raised only $510 in the current filing period.

"It's clear who's interests Sheldon Silver represents," said Newell, continuing, "I will represent Lower Manhattanites exclusively -- and pledge to never sell my office to the highest campaign donor"

The filings come on the heels of an all-out last-week voter outreach drive headed by Deputy Campaign Manager Muwu Alex Li and Lamont Carolina. "With more than 50 volunteers walking the streets and calling voters we're seeing marked increases in voter support and awareness every day," Lee said. "New Yorkers understand just how much is at stake in this election and they are determined to bring real change to our state government."

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Paul Newell's Filing - http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/getreports?filer_in=A35605&fyear_in=2008&rep_in=B

Sheldon Silver's Filing: http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/getreports?filer_in=A06359&fyear_in=2008&rep_in=B

Luke Henry's Filing http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/getreports?filer_in=A36155&fyear_in=2008&rep_in=B

William Crowell - http://www.nyc.gov/lobbyistsearch/search?lobbyist=WILLIAM+Y.+CROWELL+III