Cuomo receives .5 million in matching funds, while 2,000 is denied due to an investigation into PAC spending.
In a significant development for New York City’s mayoral race, Andrew Cuomo has been awarded over .5 million in public matching funds, but the ex-governor faced a setback when his campaign was denied an additional 2,000 due to alleged “impermissible” coordination with a super PAC. The Campaign Finance Board’s decision came during a meeting held in Manhattan, further complicating Cuomo’s already contentious campaign.
Polling as the leading candidate ahead of the Democratic primary scheduled for June, Cuomo applied for approximately .5 million in matching funds last month. However, on April 15, the board blocked his initial request due to errors in the application paperwork. Following this, Cuomo’s campaign assured that corrections were being made and anticipated receiving the full amount of public funds at the next board meeting.
The recent board ruling confirmed the allocation of .509 million; however, it also revealed the withholding of 2,056 linked to a pro-Cuomo super PAC known as Fix the City. According to Richard Davis, a member of the Campaign Finance Board, the expenditure by the super PAC on a May 4 television advertisement promoting Cuomo’s candidacy raised concerns regarding its perceived lack of independence from the Cuomo campaign. Under campaign finance regulations, super PACs are prohibited from coordinating directly with candidates they support, and Davis indicated that there was substantial reason to believe this particular advertisement was not independently developed.
The board is conducting an ongoing investigation into the matter, with Davis noting that they will continue to assess the potential for improper coordination moving forward. In a context that has drawn considerable scrutiny, Cuomo’s campaign has been implicated in a tactic called “redboxing,” which involves outlining potential advertising concepts on the campaign website.
While Cuomo’s spokesperson has defended the site’s content, stating it was vetted by legal advisors, they emphasize the campaign’s continued momentum despite the financial hiccup. Reportedly, the campaign has raised over .5 million in just 71 days, highlighting a diverse coalition of supporters across demographic lines.
Criticism has emerged from other candidates in the primary, particularly Brooklyn state Senator Zellnor Myrie, who filed a complaint regarding Cuomo’s alleged tactics. The matter underscores the broader implications of campaign finance and coordination laws, and as Cuomo’s campaign continues to unfold, the scrutiny regarding his financial strategies will likely remain a focal point in the upcoming months.
Cuomo, who resigned from the governorship in 2021 amidst allegations of sexual misconduct—claims he denies—continues to secure substantial backing from the Fix the City PAC, which has raised over million and spent more than million advocating for his candidacy. This reflects a robust fundraising environment that offers a stark contrast to the contribution and spending limitations faced by individual campaigns. As the primary approaches, the developments will be closely monitored by both supporters and critics alike in a rapidly evolving political landscape.
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