After kicking in $10,000 of his own money to get his reform-Albany PAC, New York Uprising, off the ground, former Mayor Ed Koch is now soliciting funds to keep the committee going.

kochpac

A reader forwarded an e-mail appeal sent out yesterday by Koch, in which he touts the PAC’s “fast-moving progress,” including the landing of pledges from all four gubernatorial hopefuls to support nonpartisan redistricting and veto any plan that was drawn up in the traditional, politically-motivated manner.

Koch also notes that six newspaper editorial boards have declared support for New York Uprising, which has hired two (Bloomberg-connected) staffers and will soon have a “state-of-the-art” Website.

“I am pleased to report that initial seed funding for this effort is in hand,” Koch wrote (he did not provide a dollar amount).

“However, further funds are needed to make this campaign effective and to take advantage of this special time in our State’s history. I hope you will consider supporting my efforts and New York Uprising with a financial contribution.”

During a recent appearance on “Capital Tonight” with Citizens Union Executive Director Dick Dadey, Koch told me he hoped to raise sufficient funds for an “education campaign” about New York Uprising that might include TV ads, depending on how much money comes in.

If the fundraising effort proves especially fruitful, the PAC has not yet ruled out helping specific candidates, Koch said, particularly in districts where the incumbent has not signed the New York Uprising pledge.

Interesting: Koch asks that contributions be mailed to 233 Broadway, Suite 850 in the care of James Capalino, who is serving as treasurer for New York Uprising. Capalino is a registered lobbyist who started his political career in the 1970s as a Koch staffer.

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