Maloney Challenger Has More Cash Going Into 2020: Records

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Suraj Patel, a repeat challenger to longtime Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, is coming into 2020 with a slight cash advantage over the incumbent, according to the latest Federal Election Commission filings.

Patel is coming into 2020 with $345,266 on hand compared to Maloney's $324,349, according to FEC records filed at the end of January. Maloney defeated Patel by getting 58% of the vote compared to Patel's 41% during the 2018 Democratic primary for New York's 12th Congressional District, which spans much of the east side of Manhattan as well as parts of North Brooklyn and Western Queens.

The challenger, a former Barack Obama campaign staffer and an adjunct professor at New York University's business school, argues that the latest campaign finance numbers point to another contested primary election. Patel has positioned himself as challenger from Maloney's left in a similar strategy to that taken by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who successfully defeated an entrenched incumbent in Joe Crowley in 2018.

"Progressives have a viable chance of winning this seat and finally leading from Manhattan -- and Suraj Patel is the candidate to make it happen," Cassie Moreno, a spokesperson for the Patel's campaign, said in a statement.

A number of factors contribute to Patel's cash advantage over Maloney heading into 2020, including a good quarter of fundraising for the challenger and the incumbent's increased spending. Patel raised a net $363,040 between October 2019 and the end of the year compared to Maloney's $241,737 according to FEC filings. On the other hand, Maloney spent $517,528 in the same time period compared to Patel's $138,261. Entering the quarter, Maloney had a substantial cash on hand advantage.

Recent fundraising numbers look good for Patel, but the incumbent has him beat in total contributions this election cycle. Maloney has raised $1.3 million this cycle, whereas Patel has raised $485,854, according to FEC data. Maloney's fundraising totals go back to the beginning of 2019 and Patel's go back to July.

Since the contested 2018 primary, Maloney's position in Congress has grown stronger. Following the death of Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, Maloney was selected by fellow Democrats to chair the House of Representatives' committee on oversight and government reform.

Also in the race for New York's 12th Congressional District are Democratic Socialists of America member and housing activist Peter Harrison, 32-year-old former New York State Senate staffer Erica Vladimer and JPMorgan project manager Lauren Aschraft. The primary will be held on June 23, 2020.