Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani raised twice as much money as rival former Governor Andrew Cuomo over the past five weeks — but the majority of the socialist’s windfall came from outside the Big Apple, new city filings reveal.
The frontrunner trounced the field with $1.05 million in campaign funds, more than double the $507,000 independent candidate Cuomo raised, the latest campaign finance disclosures from the New York City Campaign Finance Board filed Friday revealed.
A total of 1,100 donors contributed to Mamdani’s campaign between July 12 and Aug. 18, with 53% or $532,000 from outside NYC, and $490,000 from donors within the five boroughs.
“Our campaign is proud to be fueled by true grassroots support that speaks to the people-powered movement we’re building,” gloated Mamdani Campaign Spokesperson Dora Pekec. “Our momentum is surging.”
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa raised money from a staggering 4,400 donors – four times as many as Mamdani.
Unlike Mamdani, a majority of Sliwa’s donations came from the Big Apple, with $267,000 of his $407,000 raised – 66% – from NYC, while $138,000 came from outside the five boroughs.
Cuomo pulled in money from 732 donors, with an equal mix coming from inside and outside NYC.
He also transferred $68,000 from the state account he used in his governor campaigns before resigning in disgrace in 2021 – as he tries to put the brakes on Mamdani’s campaign, who’s leading the polls.
Mayor Eric Adams, who’s running as an independent, raked in $420,000 from 552 from donors – with $250,000 – or 60% – coming from NYC and $170,000 from outside the city.
The cash bolsters Mamdani’s sizable war chest, with a jaw dropping $4,392,480 cash on hand, before matching funds. Adams, who’s not getting matching taxpayer funds, now has $3,934,924, while Sliwa has $2,002,816 and Cuomo $1,157,614, records show.
Hizzoner spent the most dough out of the candidates
Adams paid close to $42,000 over the last five weeks to a campaign consultant firm, and another $10,000 to his top fundraiser, Brianna Suggs – whose stunning federal raid first revealed the corruption probe into the mayor.
“Her compensation is consistent with her contract and is appropriate given the scope of services performed,” insisted Adams campaign spokesperson Todd Shapiro, saying Suggs oversees compliance and another set of campaign responsibilities – in addition to fundraising.
“By consolidating these three critical functions under one role, the campaign reduces costs and increases efficiency.”
