Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has already spent $18.7 million on his re-election campaign, far ahead of the staggering pace of his spending in the 2005, according to documents released today.

The spending — much of it on seven consecutive weeks of television advertising — dwarfs that of his three likely opponents in the race, each of whom has spent less than $2 million, records show.

Mr. Bloomberg has now spent more in the last four months — all of it his own money — than his general election opponent, Fernando Ferrer, spent during the entire campaign in 2005. (Mr. Ferrer ran through $10 million, when adjusted for inflation.)

For the two-month period ending on May 11, the mayor spent $15.7 million, records show.

He spent $8.3 million on political advertising and consulting, $1.5 million on polling and $225,000 on rent for the campaign’s headquarters in Midtown Manhattan.

His latest campaign filing makes clear that his campaign intends to follow through with its pledge to spend whatever it takes to prevail — even in an election that Mr. Bloomberg is already heavily favored to win.

Anne Fenton, a spokeswoman who Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr., who is seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor, criticized the mayor’s big spending. She said in a statement:

Mike Bloomberg is spending almost $19 million to try to convince New Yorkers that they need 4 more years of higher taxes, rising unemployment, record homelessness and overcrowded schools. Bill Thompson is building a network of supporters in all 5 boroughs because he is the candidate who understands the unprecedented challenges facing all New Yorkers.

Howard Wolfson, a spokesman for the mayor’s re-election campaign, defended the pace and scope of spending.

“Every campaign is about engaging voters in a dialogue,” Mr. Wolfson said. “This campaign has begun a conversation with New Yorkers about the economy and the mayor’s plan to create or save 400,000 jobs. As recent polling makes clear, voters are responding favorably when they learn about the mayor’s initiatives, and we are very pleased about that — but we are not taking anything for granted.”

Polls show that Mr. Bloomberg enjoys at least a 14-point advantage over any of three potential Democratic rivals: Representative Anthony D. Weiner of Queens, City Councilman Tony Avella of Queens and Mr. Thompson.

At the start of the campaign, aides to the mayor hinted that he would run his third-term campaign on a budget. But any talk of spending less than in 2005 has since evaporated.
Today’s campaign filing helps explain why. The mayor has already spent nearly $9 million more than he did at the same point in 2005, adjusted for inflation, records show.

(Source: NY Times)