Nearly 400 from both major and minor parties showed up last week for a record-breaking Independence Party fundraiser that brought in a record $78,000.

The event, held at Venetian Shores catering complex in Babylon, exceeded the $60,000 raised by the minor party last year. Chairman Frank MacKay credited for the overflow turnout both new party vice chairmen -- Anthony Manetta and former Smithtown Conservative chairman Jimmy Tsunis, who's also finance director of the Independence Party of America.

MacKay said Tsunis alone raised more than $12,000, bringing in such new donors as apartment mogul Harvey Auerbach, former Gov. George Pataki fundraiser and developer Ronald Parr.

Rick Brand