Joe Borelli and his dog Winston. (Photo: Facebook)

Staten Island Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis has made headlines through her relatively impressive fundraising, and now it looks like her fellow borough Republican, Joe Borelli, is set to join her if he can successfully navigate his upcoming election. His latest filing indicated he's raised $73,000 with and has $50,000 on hand, which he said was second highest total of any Republican Assembly candidate -- after Minority Leader Brian Kolb -- this cycle.

“This filing proves the grassroots support I had hoped to have going into this race,” Mr. Borelli said in a subsequent statement. “I am proud that so many Staten Islanders have rallied behind me, and I will work my hardest to not let them down in Albany next year. I could not be in this position without my family, my friends, and my outstanding campaign team and I owe them a great deal of gratitude.”

Mr. Borelli, running to replace retiring Assemblyman Lou Tobacco, has the backing of the island's entire GOP establishment and is favored to keep the seat in conservative hands this November.

Attorney Anthony Mascolo is the Democratic candidate, but as the South Shore district they're competing in may be the most Republican one in all of New York City, a Mascolo victory would be a major upset. Nevertheless, Mr. Mascolo won't have a problem matching Mr. Borelli in finances if he's willing to continue digging into his own pocket; the Democrat raised $33,000 and loaned his campaign an additional $50,000.

Ms. Malliotakis -- who occupies a swing district much more Democratic than Mr. Borelli's -- continued to do well in her own filing as well, showing $65,000 raised in the last six months, with over $100,000 on hand.