Summary
- Zohran
Mamdani raised over $1 million between July and mid-August. - His
funds nearly double those of nearest rivals. - Raised
$1.05 million vs. Cuomo’s $507,000 and Adams’ $425,000. - The
majority of donations are small-dollar and grassroots supporters.
The Democratic socialist, who defeated former state governor
Andrew Cuomo to win the Democratic party nomination in June, earned $1,051,200,
according to the New York City campaign finance board on Saturday. The average
donation from both in-state and out-of-state donors was $121.
With a $646 contribution size, Cuomo raised $541,301. With
an average gift of $770, the current mayor, Eric Adams, who was running as an
independent, raised $425,181. Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate, raised
$407, 332.
Mamdani has a polling edge that reflects its dominance in
fundraising. He was 19 points ahead of his closest opponent, Cuomo, who is also
running as an independent, according to a Siena survey last week. Decision Desk
HQ’s 12-poll average has Mamdani 13 points ahead of Cuomo.
Mamdani has continuously outperformed his opponents in terms
of fundraising.
He has suggested
free childcare and buses, city-run grocery stores, rent freezes on nearly a
million rent-stabilized apartments in the city, and higher taxes on Columbia
and New York University to support city colleges and trade schools.
He instructed his main campaign team to encourage supporters
to concentrate on volunteering in March after requesting that his grassroots
supporters cease making donations. He has $4.4 million in campaign finances on
hand, and an additional $2.2 million in matching public monies are available to
his campaign.
It was disclosed last week that Elizabeth Simons, the
daughter of the late hedge fund billionaire Jamie Simons, had donated $250,000
to a political action committee on behalf of the anti-billionaire candidate.
As a result of Adams’ violations of related regulations, the
local campaign finance board has prohibited him from collecting matching
campaign funds. Cuomo has $1.2 million available and has started moving funds
from a $7.5 million state campaign account to his city campaign account. Cuomo
is expected to receive roughly $400,000 in public dollars.
Next month, there will probably be further pressure on Adams
and Sliwa, the two front-runners, to withdraw from the race, but both have
stated that they are unwilling to do so.
Following the indictment of Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a close
aide, for allegedly operating a political favors system that included
collecting seafood and an acting part opposite Forest Whitaker, Adams
reiterated his reluctance to pull out last week.
Cuomo said on Friday that “a lot is going to happen” between
now and the November vote.
“I don’t think the public even knows who the
assemblyman is, what he represents, what his positions are. So I think the more
they find out about him, the less they’re going to like him, and … his appeal
is going to drop dramatically.”
Mamdani, meanwhile, has accused Cuomo of lying about his
coordination with Trump and says the former governor, who bitterly clashed with
Trump while in office, is now seeking the president’s help.
“It’s par for the course for Andrew Cuomo,”
Mamdani said on
Tuesday.
How much of Mamdani’s total is eligible for NYC public
matching funds?
Zohran Mamdani’s campaign expects about $280,000 of the more
than $1 million raised between early July and mid-August 2025 to be eligible
for New York City’s 8-to-1 public matching funds program. This would translate
into more than $2 million in matching funds for his campaign this cycle.
Only donations from city residents of up to $250 are
matchable, and the city Campaign Finance Board makes the final determination on
awarding matching funds. The matching funds program is designed to amplify
grassroots contributions and support candidates with broad local backing.
Mamdani’s total fundraising combined with the anticipated
matching funds significantly boosts his financial position as he heads into the
crucial final stretch before the November mayoral election.
