Is John Quaglione showing everybody that he’s the Brooklyn GOP’s “800 Pound Gorilla” in the race for the Republican nomination for City Council from the 43rd District

John Q has now twice shown that he can be the leader among the Republican candidates when it comes to fund raising  ---  AND  ---  That he has the political muscle to be  “The Man”  to head something like the Norwegian Day Parade in Bay Ridge

Latest NYCCFB filings show John Quaglione ahead in the $$$$ race;  but Liam McCabe is still competitive; and although Bob Capano continues to lag, he has enough $$$$ on hand to keep his campaign going into petitioning and a new round of fundraising

According to the latest campaign filing summaries:   John Quaglione leads the GOP pack,  by raising at least  $68, 974,  having spent at least $20,116,  leaving about $48,858 available;   Liam McCabe has raised a total of  $49,784,  having spent $24,581,  and that leaves an estimated $25,203 on hand;   leaving Bob Capano somewhat behind in all categories,  with  $38,021 raised up to the latest filing,  $19,075  spent,  and only  about $18, 946 cash on hand.

Even though it looks like Johnnie Q has virtually lapped Bob Capano already in the fund raising sweepstakes,  Bobby C should have enough cash in the bank to insure an effective petitioning operation.  Then he can do at least a little more fundraising to go along with matching funds to complete a substantive primary campaign. 

The picture is much the same for Liam McCabe,  but he goes into the next phase,  petitioning with a somewhat healthier balance than Capano.

Another declared candidate for the Republican spot in the 43rd Counc. Dist., Lucetia Regina-Potter did not appear in the NYCCFB's financial summaries

Again,  it cannot be gainsaid that John Quaglione has a substantial lead in the financial department…..   Usually,  that also bespeaks other organizational advantages,   which it now look like the Quaglione campaign is beginning to demonstrate.

 
CASE IN POINT:   THE 2017 NORWEGIAN PARADE

Showing an ability to garner his share of earned media,  John Quaglione also demonstrated a genuine ability  to reach out into the community and get a really nice show of support from the remnant of the once dominant Norwegian community in Bay Ridge,  by being made the “Civic Honorary Marshall of the Norwegian Day Parade”  ( See   May 4^th Facebook posting by Arlene Bakke Rutuelo   [https://www.facebook.com/groups/461593467308325/permalink/996990347101965/]).

Let me head-off at least one of my irate contributors,  who was very quick to point out to me that John Quaglione’s selection to have any place in this year’s Norwegian Parade was arranged by JQ’s fellow employee and subordinate on State Senator Martin Golden’s staff,  Arlene Bakke Rutuelo.   From what I can pick up from interested parties both inside the Brooklyn GOP and outside of it,  Johnny Cakes has not heard the last of how his selection to be a Parade Marshall for the Norwegian Day Parade was a blatant act of politicizing the parade and other Norwegian connections. 

Like I said in my headline to this piece,  as far as I'm concerned, all this shows is that John Quaglione is beginning to look like the Republican Party’s  “800 Pound Gorilla” in this 2017 race for the same City Council seat that JQ pursued so gingerly in 2013.