UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Republican Conservative Congressional candidate Richard Hanna is trying to unseat Democrat Congressman Michael Arcuri. And Hanna says if you look at campaign contributions and where they're coming from, he has substantial support in his quest.

Richard Hanna was talking money-campaign contributions outside the old General Electric Building on Broad Street in Utica on Tuesday.

Hanna says he chose that spot because the building where 8,500 people used to work and is now about 97% empty highlights the decay our area has suffered throughout the years.

Hanna claims that in the same time period, from January 2007 to now, he has raised more money from people in the district than his opponent, Congressman Michael Arcuri.

"All of our money, or most of our money has come from this area, all but about five or ten thousand dollars," Hanna said. "And most of his, 85% has come from outside the area and I'll leave it up to the public to decide exactly what that means."

Arcuri campaign spokesperson Jordan Karp begs to differ with Richard Hanna's assessment.

Karp says that Hanna has trouble with the facts, saying "our campaign has over 1,500 contributors from every corner of this district who support Mike's re-election with small contributions, and countless endorsements from local organizations."

Karp went on to say that Hanna, "with fewer than 200 donors to his campaign, has had to write himself a $324,000 check."

In response to Jordan Karp's comments this afternoon, Renee Gamela stated:

"Mike Arcuri should get his Washington-based attack dog under control," Renee Gamela said. "Facts are facts. A review of Mike Arcuri's campaign finance disclosures clearly demonstrate that 85 percent of his contributions come from political action committees, special interests, political bosses or people living outside the 24th Congressional District.


"If Mike Arcuri has trouble with theses facts, he should give the money back to these people who are attempting to buy this election."