Hey, big spender

Public Advocate Tish James had to go through the couch cushions — even taking contributions from aides — to raise enough money to qualify for public matching funds in her reelection primary. She didn’t make it.

But she did meet the minimum to get tax dollars for her general election campaign. Then, not satisfied with the standard grant for incumbents, she had the gall to demand the maximum, $756,486, against a rival who had barely a cent.

Then, knowing unused funds must to be returned to the treasury, she blew every last dollar.

Even still: Her biggest expense, a half million bucks for web ads, was paid on Election Day, meaning it wasn’t disclosed until Dec. 4. James won huge, 74% to 16%, but the public lost.