NYC Campaign Finance Board denies Cuomo .3 million in matching funds, grants million to Adrienne Adams.

New York City’s Campaign Finance Board has delivered a significant setback to mayoral frontrunner Andrew Cuomo while providing a crucial boost to his opponent, Adrienne Adams. The board announced on Friday that it would be withholding .3 million in matching funds from Cuomo’s campaign. In contrast, Adams, the Speaker of the City Council, has been approved for million in public financing ahead of the upcoming Democratic mayoral primary.

As the June 24 primary date approaches, Adams’ ascent in the polls is notable. She represents a moderate Democratic faction and has garnered support among Black voters and constituents in the outer boroughs, positioning her campaign to attract some of Cuomo’s traditional base. The newly awarded matching funds, her first in this election cycle, enable her to invest significantly in campaign advertising and outreach strategies in the remaining weeks.

Following a vote to grant Adams million, the Campaign Finance Board disclosed that Cuomo would lose an additional 5,419 in public funds due to concerns regarding improper coordination with Fix the City, a supporting super PAC. This decision compounds the previously withheld funds of over 0,000 that the board withheld earlier in the month, totaling nearly .3 million in denied public money to Cuomo amid allegations of non-compliance with campaign finance regulations.

The board confirmed that its investigation into the matter continues, with member Richard Davis pointing to indications that the expenditures were not conducted independently. Despite this, Cuomo’s campaign received a fresh influx of .76 million in matching funds, underscoring the complexity of his financial situation, as the withheld .3 million coincides with the spending by Fix the City on a controversial ad linked to Cuomo.

Despite facing these challenges, Cuomo’s campaign maintains a substantial financial backing with .3 million available for its use. Earlier in May, he was granted an additional .5 million in matching funds, bringing his total to over million in public financing in addition to approximately .9 million raised privately. These figures put him near the spending limit of .9 million for the primary.

Adams’ situation has gathered momentum recently, bolstered by endorsements from key figures such as Attorney General Leticia James and the influential municipal workers union, DC37. She faced hurdles earlier this month, failing to meet funding thresholds required for matching funds due to substantial errors in her paperwork submission, which resulted in about 70% of her claims being rejected.

The implications of the Campaign Finance Board’s decisions are critical as Adams now has the resources to ramp up her campaign. The matching funds program is intended to enhance the effect of local contributions, offering an 8-to-1 match for donations up to 0 from city residents.

In related news, current Mayor Eric Adams has taken legal action against the Campaign Finance Board for the repeated denial of matching funds for his re-election bid, citing concerns linked to his federal indictment on campaign finance fraud. Mayor Adams, having exited the Democratic primary, is now focusing on his independent re-election campaign in the November general election.

As the primary looms, the dynamics between Cuomo and Adams showcase the evolving landscape of New York City’s political arena, with public financing playing a pivotal role in shaping the campaigns of both candidates.