Pro-Cuomo super PAC to invest 0,000 in field operation during final days of NYC mayoral election.

The super PAC supporting Andrew Cuomo’s bid for mayor is launching an extensive field operation in the closing days leading up to the Democratic primary on June 24. The initiative, organized by the PAC titled “Fix the City,” involves expenditures totaling nearly 0,000, which includes over 0,000 allocated for T-shirts meant for campaign volunteers. These figures emerge from recent financial disclosures made public.

“Fix the City,” which has amassed close to million to bolster Cuomo’s campaign, takes action after Cuomo’s principal challenger, Zohran Mamdani, has effectively mobilized a significant grassroots effort. Mamdani’s campaign has deployed tens of thousands of mostly unpaid canvassers to connect with voters across New York City’s five boroughs, distributing campaign literature and engaging with constituents directly.

Cuomo’s campaign has not initiated its own paid grassroots operation, creating a gap that “Fix the City” aims to fill as the primary election nears. In a sign of commitment, the PAC allocated 3,875 on June 12 to hire Bartholomew Communications and Strategies, a consulting firm based in Manhattan, to oversee the field operation. Subsequently, an additional payment of 9,044 was reported on June 16 for the continued field work managed by the firm.

Further emphasizing its outreach strategy, “Fix the City” has also enlisted Mainland Media, a design company located in the Bronx, to produce a substantial quantity of T-shirts showcasing its branding alongside the message, “Vote for Cuomo: The mayor for this moment.” Liz Benjamin, a spokesperson for the PAC, confirmed that these T-shirts are intended for volunteers involved in voter mobilization efforts. However, specific details regarding the number of dispatched volunteers or targeted neighborhoods have not been revealed.

In addition to the efforts coordinated by “Fix the City,” several labor unions, including the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and the District Council of Carpenters, are actively promoting Cuomo’s candidacy and have initiated their own field operations. Notably, these unions are also working to enhance voter turnout for various additional candidates in lower-tier races.

Cuomo, who faces scrutiny due to prior allegations of sexual misconduct and claims of mismanagement during the pandemic—allegations which he denies—continues to maintain a leading position in polling for the upcoming primary. However, his main opponent, Mamdani, a democratic socialist proposing policies such as a rent freeze for controlled tenants, has been gaining traction in recent polls.

The ability to mobilize supporters effectively has been a critical advantage for Mamdani, who boasts approximately 42,000 unpaid volunteers overseen by 14 full-time staff. This team is complemented by 54 paid canvassers, with an anticipated budget of around 5,000 allocated for their engagement activities.

Overall, the escalating financial and organizational efforts surrounding the mayoral race reflect the high stakes involved as New Yorkers engage in early voting, which began last weekend and will continue until Sunday, culminating in a decisive primary election day.