Molinaro, as vote nears, is almost broke

ALBANY — Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro is almost broke in his campaign for governor.

With less than a month to go before the election, the Republican challenger to Gov. Cuomo on Monday morning reported having just $210,835 left in his campaign coffers.

That’s about $9 million less than Cuomo will report having on hand, according to a source with knowledge of the governor’s filing.

It’s also less $1 million less than the $1.2 million Republican Rob Astorino reported having at the same point four years ago.

And the $210,835 doesn’t include the $45,000 loan Molinaro’s campaign must still repay to his lieutenant governor running mate, Julie Killian. Though required by law, the outstanding loan was not reported in Molinaro’s latest filing. A campaign source confirmed it is still outstanding and that the finance team is amending its filing with the state to include it.

Molinaro, who had $887,239 on hand when he last reported in mid-July, took in just $448,603 in donations since then, but spent $1.125 million.

Cuomo, when he last reported on Sept. 23, had $11.6 million left in his account after having blown through $26 million during his Democratic primary win over actress Cynthia Nixon. His latest filing is not yet available.

But a source with knowledge of the situation said the governor will report having $9.2 million cash on hand.

Molinaro reported 2,168 donations, but the vast majority were for $100 or less.