BINGHAMTON, NY (WSKG) - Former New York 22nd District Congresswoman Claudia Tenney has racked up endorsements as she pushes for a rematch with Democrat Anthony Brindisi in November's election.
The district covers part of the Southern Tier and Central New York, including Binghamton, Cortland and Utica.
Tenney has the endorsement of New York’s Conservative Party, high-ranking GOP congress members and President Trump.
Plus, as of the last F.E.C. reporting deadline in January, she had $286,565.61 cash on hand.
That dwarfs Republican opponents like former Broome County Legislator and Congressional candidate George Phillips, who had $57,132.23 on hand after the same period.
Tenney spoke about Phillips this week in Binghamton. “He just doesn’t seem to have the resources he needs in the entire district. He certainly probably will fair pretty well in Broome," she said "A lot of this district is also - it’s eight counties and one county is just not going to be enough.”
Tenney has been criticized by Phillips for losing to Brindisi in 2018 after President Trump did well in the district in 2016. He said the support of Trump isn't all that matters.
“The ultimate endorsement is the people," he said "I know the President is courteous and loyal to friends, this is a former member of Congress that he campaigned for, but, if you look at the last time, the endorsement wasn’t enough to carry her across the finish line."
Tenney thinks more Republicans will come out because Trump is on the ballot in November and they will vote to unseat Brindisi.
Also running for the nomination is Franklin Sager, an educator who raised just $317.64 during the last cycle. All of it was a loan to himself. He had no cash on hand.
The primary is set for June 23rd.