N.Y. hopefuls pull in nearly $2M in a month

The special election to replace appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) is raking in a huge amount of cash.

The two men vying for the New York House seat pulled in a combined $1.85 million in just over a month and loaned their campaigns another combined $450,000, continuing the big money trend that has characterized the race of late.

{mosads}Federal financial reports were due Thursday for the race, which will take place March 31.

Democratic businessman Scott Murphy pulled together about $900,000 for the period between January 1 and March 11 and also loaned his campaign $250,000, for a grand total of $1.15 million.

He slightly outraised Republican Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, who raked in about $840,000 and loaned his campaign $200,000 for a total of about $1.05 million.

The filing period covers more than two months, but the candidates weren’t selected until around Feb. 1, leaving them just more than a month to raise money.

Murphy pulled in $590,000 from individual contributors and $310,000 from political action committees and campaign committees. Tedisco raised $450,000 from individuals and $390,000 from committees.

Both received heavy contributions from members of Congress for the race, which has drawn near even and is seen as a key test of momentum early in the 2010 election cycle.

Tedisco spent $570,000 for the period and had $470,000 in cash remaining as of March 11, while Murphy spent more than $700,000 and had about $440,000 on hand.

The race has drawn about $1 million in independent spending from outside groups over the last week, as well.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) filed its latest expenditure report Thursday, spending $210,000 more and bringing its investment in the race to $550,000.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has spent about $340,000 on the race, as of a report filed Wednesday.

The National Republican Trust PAC has spent $240,000 for Tedisco, and the local Service Employees International Union (SEIU) chapter has spent $280,000 on Murphy’s behalf.