Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush raised $17,000 in the first half of 2012, and has roughly the same amount in his campaign account, according to his campaign finance disclosures filed with the state.

But Mr. Blankenbush, R-Black River, has no opponent on Nov. 6, meaning that he can squirrel away some money for potential future runs.

Mr. Blankenbush's fundraiser of choice is the golf fundraiser. As noted by Jimmy Vielkind at the Times-Union, it's not an unusual method.

Among Mr. Blankenbush's donors are several county legislators, both in Jefferson (Phil Reed, Jim Nabywaniec, Barry Ormsby) and in Lewis (Jack Bush, Rick Lucas). Matt Doheny donated, too, as did Nancy Martin, the St. Lawrence County GOP chairwoman.

He also took in donations from the New York Gaming Association — the Turning Stone casino is now in his district — and a few ag organizations.

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