Grimm’s cash dries up

Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) saw his fundraising plummet after he was indicted for mail fraud and perjury, among other charges, in late April.

{mosads}He raised just $47,000 from April 1 through June 4, according to his preprimary filings with the Federal Election Commission. Some of that he had to refund, meaning he brought in just over $44,000. The filings reveal that most of that money was raised prior to his indictment, and his fundraising slowed significantly afterwards.

He spent more than $214,000 during that time, including a $40,000 payment to his attorneys at Patton Boggs. 

And Grimm reported $420,000 in debt, largely legal fees related to the investigation he already faced prior to the indictment.

Grimm has no GOP opponent in the June 24 primary, meaning Republicans are left with him as their nominee regardless of what happens with the charges against him. 

The congressman’s Democratic opponent, former New York City Council member Domenic Recchia, isn’t hurting for cash, though — he raised $144,000 over the same period.

Grimm has a little over $1 million cash on hand, but the flagging fundraising is sure to be troubling for him as he prepares for a tough fight to hold onto his seat. 

Democrats have pegged the swing district as a top pickup opportunity this fall, and Grimm looks likely to have to go it alone, as the National Republican Congressional Committee has essentially abandoned him and has no plans to help fund his campaign.