Elizabeth Holtzman - 1992 Senate Candidacy

1992 Senate Candidacy

In 1992, after the Clarence Thomas Anita Hill controversy, Holtzman sought the Democratic nomination for Senator to challenge Republican D'Amato again.

The Democrats seeking the nomination (Holtzman, Geraldine Ferraro, New York State Attorney General Robert Abrams, Representative Robert J. Mrazek and Rev. Al Sharpton) split the feminists. Emily's List endorsed Ferraro, and raised money for her. Much of the leadership of National Organization for Women was in Holtzman's camp. Former Democratic Party National Organizer Anne F. Lewis had suggested women split their campaign donations between the two women. Betty Friedan endorsed Holtzman.

She lost a bitter primary, with rancorous debates. Both Abrams and Holtzman exploited Ferraro's tax problems, and the legal problems of her husband and son, even suggesting a Mafia connection to the family. Holtzman was vulnerable for an August loan to her campaign from Fleet Bank. In August 1992 Holtzman borrowed $450,000 to pay for television ads against Ferraro. (These charges came back to haunt her in her unsuccessful 1993 bid for a second term as Comptroller, although she was later cleared of all charges. Democrats blamed her for the expensive and brutal Senate primary that left nominee Abrams too weakened to defeat vulnerable incumbent D'Amato.)

She finished with 13%, last behind New York Attorney General Robert Abrams, former Representative and 1984 vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro, and Al Sharpton.

Holtzman did not endorse Abrams, her party's candidate in the general election.

Senator D'Amato, the Republican incumbent, won re-election in November 49% to 48%.