By Tom Precious
ALBANY -- As the Assembly was passing his gun control package late this afternoon, Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported his campaign raised $4 million the past six months.
The governor now has $22.5 million on hand for his 2014 re-election effort, up from $19.3 million during the last reporting period in July, acccording to state Board of Election records.
To keep the balance high, the governor's campaign committee reported spending only $893,000 the past six months, including a $36,000 payment to the New York Yankees for a fundraiser.
In all, individuals, many with deep pockets who could afford to donate $25,000 or more apiece, gave $2.2 million to Cuomo the past six months.
Among the largest individual donors was Steve Pigeon, the former Erie County Democratic Party chairman; he gave Cuomo $50,000 last week. M&T Bank boss Robert Wilmers tossed in $10,000 to Cuomo.
The hefty campaign account for Cuomo comes as the governor is pushing a new campaign finance plan that, when formally unveiled, will call for taxpayer funding of campaigns and lower limits on campaign contributions to candidates.
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