Does Money Win Elections?

Barack Obama won the U.S. presidency partly by raising more money than his opponents—to the tune of $234 million.

In Blind Brook, it doesn't take that much money to win an election, but for candidates running for the lone open seat on the Blind Brook Board of Education, every little bit helps.

, but according to recent campaign filings, only one of these candidates is actively raising and spending any money on the race.

Dick Hubert, the school board's incessant critic, has amassed 35 donors who have contributed about $4,000 to his campaign. Donations have ranged from $25 to $250, with much of this money coming from Hubert's Doral Greens neighbors. However, he's also gotten $160 in campaign contributions from a donor some would claim is an unlikely supporter—former Blind Brook Board of Education president Monroe Haas.

Hubert, whose candidacy is considered a long shot, said he needs to raise money to get his message to voters, many of whom he argues have the wrong idea about his campaign platform.

"There's no question I'm an underdog for a variety of reasons," Hubert said. "The money we've raised has been to get a positive message out."

Hubert's campaign manager, fellow school board critic Sam Marcus, said despite the current economic climate it hasn't been difficult raising money because "Dick's message resonates with people."

To get that message to resonate even further with voters, Hubert's campaign has spent money on campaign signs, a personal web site, advertisements and a flyer insert in the Westmore News. Hubert will also send a mailing to every household in the school district before the May 18 election.

Hubert, who doesn't have children in the school district, is not as well known to many of the district's parents, even though he has appeared at nearly every school board meeting in the last six years decrying higher taxes and what he feels is an inflated school budget, a stance that has drawn the ire of many parents.

Adler and Zarkower, who each have children in the district and have been involved in district activities, are better known in the school community.

Both Adler and Zarkower did not report any expenses or donations in a filing for campaign contributions submitted to the school district in April. In a campaign filing for May 13, both Adler and Zarkower completed a form saying they had raised and spent less than $500 on their campaigns. 

Adler said her campaign is still competitive, despite her lack of fundraising.

"I have not actively raised money," Adler said. "I think different people have different styles. I'm very pleased with the response I'm getting from different people."

Adler said, unlike Hubert, she does not have a campaign manager, but that she has gotten help with her campaign from a diverse constituency, including empty-nesters and people involved in the Parent Teacher Associations.

"I feel that as we approach election day, I have a tremendous amount of momentum and I'm really excited about what's happening," Adler said.

Zarkower, the school board's current vice president who is running for a second term, said she has not raised funds for her campaign because she felt it would be an imposition on many people who are struggling in this economy. She said she would fund her campaign on her own and would not hold any campaign events.

"I really still feel that this isn't the financial climate to be reaching out to my fellow community members. I'm really trying to run a more grassroots campaign," she said. 

Zarkower said she has been going door to door, making phone calls and sending flyers to voters to spread her campaign's message. She also has a core of about 10 volunteers helping her. She admitted she has an advantage over her opponents because she is running as an incumbent.

"Because I currently hold the seat there are more people who already know me. It may be more difficult for my opponents to spread their message, she said. "They may have to spend more money." 

Hubert's campaign spending may or may not have an effect when voters cast their ballots next week. But if the question is whether money wins local elections, one may need to look no further than the recent Rye Brook Village Board elections in March.

Independent candidate Moge Agahian raised $3,814 from 41 donors, some of whom donated more than once. The Rye Brook Together ticket, which included Mayor Joan Feinstein, Jeff Rednick and Toby Marrow, who all won their respective races, collected a total of $3,198, with some of this money coming from the candidates themselves. Both Rednick and Marrow, part of a ticket with name recognition in Rye Brook, won seats on the Village Board, defeating Agahian even though she raised slightly more money during her campaign.

Mayor Joan Feinstein, who said she has spent between $1,000 and $2,000 of her own money to run for political office, said everyone chooses to run their campaign differently, but that some candidates need resources to spread their message.

"The hard thing is getting your name out there and that cost money," she said.

Hubert said in the days before the election, his campaign will do more to reach voters. He is attending a $125 per person fundraiser for Blind Brook High School at a country club in Elmsford and his campaign is considering running a phone campaign the day before the election that will cost about $300.

"Short of twittering everybody, we're trying to use some technology the internet has brought us," he said. " We're trying to run an intellectual campaign at a very low cost."

Hubert, who has only donated $100 to his own campaign, said he appreciates the support he has received from the community.

"There are some people who can give and some people who can't give," he said. "I value the widow who has given me $25 and that's a big deal, and I value the retired person who can give a little more."

Hubert said he has been surprised that his opponents have not run a more visible campaign.

"Whenever there is an opportunity for me to have free media exposure, I take advantage of it," he said. "Maybe they think they can run a campaign without talking to the voters. Maybe they can."

Adler said voters will decide who ran a more effective campaign when they cast their ballots on May 18.

 "I think it comes down to that the voters are going to learn all they can about the candidates and make their decision," she said.