Adrienne Adams gains support in NYC mayoral race poll but fails to secure matching campaign funds.
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is gaining traction in her bid for the mayoralty of New York City, buoyed by a recent poll indicating a rise in her support alongside several influential endorsements. Despite these positive developments, Adams is facing significant challenges in accessing public matching funds, a crucial financial resource that could enhance her campaign’s visibility as the Democratic primary approaches on June 24.
Recent records obtained by Media News Source reveal that approximately 619 of the 889 claims submitted by Adams for public matching funds during the last reporting period were deemed “invalid” due to various paperwork issues. This translates to a rejection rate of 69.6%, the highest among candidates vying for the upcoming Democratic primary, according to a review of campaign finance records. The report indicates that errors included missing backup documentation and incomplete employment information for some donors.
As of the end of the last reporting period on March 13, Adams’ campaign raised 7,437, a figure significantly lower than that of many other candidates. Furthermore, she fell short of the necessary individual donations to qualify for public matching funds, which are key in financing campaign strategies.
The reporting period concluded only eight days after Adams announced her candidacy, leaving her team with minimal time to assemble the paperwork required for matching funds, thereby contributing to the high error rate identified in her submissions. In a subsequent response, the Campaign Finance Board withheld matching funds again due to ongoing documentation errors, specifically noting that at least 20% of the claims resubmitted were still problematic.
Lupe Todd-Medina, a spokesperson for Adams, stated that the majority of the errors stemmed from using donation software that was not registered with the Campaign Finance Board, a situation they have since addressed. Nevertheless, many of her opponents have already amassed substantial amounts of public matching funds, enabling them to commence advertising campaigns as the final phase of the mayoral race unfolds.
In a twist of fortune, a recent poll conducted by Marist University has shown Adams with 11% support, placing her in third, following former Governor Andrew Cuomo with 44% and Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani with 22%. This marks a critical milestone for Adams, as it represents the first instance of her garnering double-digit support in the polls since her campaign’s inception.
Support from influential groups, including endorsements from DC 37, the city’s largest public-sector union, and State Attorney General Letitia James, have helped bolster her visibility and credibility in the race. Adams has another opportunity to secure public matching funds on May 30. Failure to qualify at that time would prevent her from applying again until June 20, just days before the primary election.
Under the matching funds program, candidates receive a public match of 8-to-1 for each donation from city residents, capped at 0. This funding mechanism is integral for financing campaign operations, including advertising and staffing. Todd-Medina expressed optimism that Adams’ campaign will successfully acquire matching funds during the next opportunity.
