John Mannion

Washington – Rep. John Mannion will be able to outspend Republican challenger Kailee Buller by a 10-to-1 margin heading into this fall’s election for the 22nd Congressional District seat in Central New York.

Mannion, D-Geddes, has $1.84 million in his campaign account compared to $186,000 for Buller, according to disclosure reports the candidates filed July 15 with the Federal Election Commission,

Mannion, 57, a first-term Democrat, continued to build on his significant fundraising advantage over Buller, 37, of Auburn, in the latest fundraising period from June 4 through June 30.

Mannion raised $267,512 during the month while Buller raised $25,815 during the same period, the records show.

Buller spent more money ($33,534) than she raised ($25,815) in June, a troubling sign for any political campaign – a trend that held steady for the full quarter from April through June.

In the first four months of her campaign, most of Buller’s campaign cash came from out-of-state residents and national groups with ties to the food and agriculture industry.

During that period, Buller received donations from only 10 individuals who live in the 22nd District.

Buller is a longtime food industry executive and lobbyist who worked in both of President Donald Trump’s administration. She resigned from her job in February as chief of staff for USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and moved back to her native Auburn to run for Congress.

In June, Buller began to receive more local financial support. She hired a Central New York fundraising firm, Rising Star Advisers, to boost contributions from people who live in the 22nd District, the records show. The firm is headed by Benedicte Doran, former chair of the Onondaga County Republican Committee.

The latest fundraising report shows about two dozen people who live in the district made contributions to Buller’s campaign.

Buller’s top local donors in June included Syracuse lawyer Gary Lavine ($1,000), Syracuse developer Lou Santaro ($1,000) and former Cortland County GOP Chair Connie White ($1,000), the records show.

Mannion’s top local donors during the same period included Sandra Porter of Syracuse ($3,500); cardiologist Ramzi Nassif of New Hartford ($2,500); Syracuse University law professor David Driesen ($1,000); Upstate Medical University scientist William Brunken ($1,000); Turning Stone Enterprises executive Peter Carmen ($1,000); and United Radio president Philip Rubenstein of Fayetteville ($1,000).

You can search every campaign contribution the two candidates in the race have received in the current fundraising cycle using the tool below. It includes the newest report from both candidates, which was filed July 15.

The database does not include money raised for the race by independent political groups that are not affiliated with the candidates.

Most political analysts in Washington have listed the 22nd District as a safe Democratic seat heading into this year’s midterm elections.

The 22nd Congressional District spans all of Onondaga and Madison counties, and parts of Cayuga, Cortland and Oneida counties.

Reporter Kevin Tampone contributed to this report.