Lazio aided by friends & Hil foes

By MAKI BECKER and GREG WILSON

September 5, 2000 Web posted at: 2:11 PM EDT (1811 GMT)

NEW YORK (The New York Daily News) -- Rick Lazio won Ben Stein's money, as well as donations from a host of famous and not-so-famous folks nationwide, according to his latest campaign finance statements, released yesterday.

The Long Island Republican raised $10.8 million from July 1 through Aug. 23, nearly all from individual contributors, the reports indicate. Much of the cash flowed in from outside New York State.

Stein, a Beverly Hills actor and game show host, gave Lazio's campaign $1,000. He was one of several notables listed in the 1,389-page report. Also sending $1,000 checks were ex-President George Bush, Henry Kissinger and ex-football star and sportscaster Frank Gifford.

Individuals can give as much as $2,000 for primary and general elections.

But not every contributor is famous. Gerald Hulsman, 68, a retired stockbroker from West Linn, Ore., acknowledged that he had never heard of Lazio before this year, but he was moved to contribute $250 based on Lazio's opponent.

"I'm not a big fan of Hillary Clinton," he said. "I'm a Republican, and I'd like to see her defeated and sent back to Arkansas."

Edythe Pomerene, a retiree who lives in the First Lady's adopted hometown of Chappaqua, Westchester County, gave Lazio's campaign $250. She said she has more in common with Lazio than with Clinton.

"I'm a fan of Lazio's, because I'm part Italian," she said. "I was also born and brought up in New York State, and I support my people, not someone from Arkansas, or Chicago, where she's really from."

Lazio began July with $6.2 million in hand. During the reporting period, he spent $6.7 million and took in $10.8 million, leaving his campaign with $10.3 million. So far, he has spent $9.1 million on the campaign.

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