Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s hand-picked state Democratic Co-Chairman Keith Wright reported raising $101,403 during the first six-month reporting period of 2012, his personal best over the last 10 years.

The filing from the committee, Wright 2012, is actually one of two committees he uses. The other campaign committee is yet to report, and the Democrat could easily just use Wright 2012 for this cycle.

Wright, a Harlem assemblyman who has long been rumored to want to succeed Rep. Charlie Rangel in Congress, spent more than half of that money, $59,242. He ended the reporting cycle with $42,161 in cash on hand and is not expected to face a serious challenge in either a primary or special election.

(Liz writes: As per a commentor’s note, the words “want to” were added to the first sentence in the above paragraph, as Wright is the perceived frontrunner in the pro-Rangel camp to succeed the congressman should he step down mid-term. It’s certainly not a foregone conclusion that he would be Rangel’s successor, however. As evidenced by the spirited – and not yet over – June 26 NY-13 primary battle, there are a number of people jockeying for Rangel’s seat).

Because of campaign-finance laws, there are restrictions for transferring money from a state race to a campaign for federal office.

Wright, along with Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, were named the co-chairs of the state Democratic Party by Cuomo on May 22, succeeding Jay Jacobs, who remains Nassau County chairman.

Wright’s fundraising post-May 22 shows he kept up a steady stream of donations, including a $2,000 contribution recorded on May 31 from Genting New York LLC, the New York City-based arm of the Malaysia company that was originally set to build a convention center and casino in Queens.

Indeed, Genting has been very generous to New York politicians over the last year, donating more than $82,000 to their campaigns.

H/t Bill Mahoney at NYPIRG.

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