2025 mayoral hopefuls talk dolla, dolla bills, y’all with NYCCFB filings
With scandal currently engulfing City Hall, voters are already placing bets on next year’s packed mayoral race. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams has maxed out in contributions compared to other candidates, but considering his indictment has to do with campaign fraud, his fundraising future is up in the air.
According to the New York City Campaign Finance Board (NYCCFB), more than 10 people are already listed as candidates for the mayoral race, but only five have raised enough money to be competitive: Adams, $4,140,709; City Comptroller Brad Lander, $967,381; former City Comptroller Scott Stringer, $591,116; State Senator Zellnor Myrie, $464,211; and State Senator Jessica Ramos, $52,513.
Adams has had one donation to his current campaign since the news broke of his five-count felony indictment, involving allegedly receiving illegal campaign contributions in 2021 and accepting bribes. Adams allegedly received $10 million from the city’s public matching funds program. At an in-person press conference on Oct. 15, Adams said that he had essentially hit the maximum of the $8 million spending cap that he can raise for the upcoming election — and presumably is banking on getting matching funds from the city.
“I think that when you look at the consistent support I have in this city, as we continue to regain the trust that we know we have to regain, we’re going to constantly get the support that we need, but my focus is now,” Adams said. “My focus is delivering for New Yorkers right now. I’m the mayor right now, and I’ve got to deliver for everyday New Yorkers, and that’s what I’m doing with this team.”
Adams adamantly referred all other questions about his campaign fundraising to his campaign attorney, Vito Pitta. Adams has hired a new campaign fundraiser, Michael Giaccio, who is also in charge of raising money for Adams’s criminal defense trust, and no longer employs former fundraiser Brianna Suggs.
It’s entirely possible that Adams won’t qualify for matching funds due to his federal indictment or will be denied matching funds by the NYCCFB.
Lander’s campaign expects to max out on the city’s 8-to-1 public matching funds program by next year’s primary. He’s received contributions from 4,122 small donors, 94% of whom are city residents, and is determined not to accept money from corporate PACs, corporate lobbyists, fossil fuel executives, real estate development principals, or private equity and investment fund managers.
“I’m deeply grateful for the broad, grassroots support for our vision of a safer, more affordable, more livable, and better run city,” Lander said in a statement. “This support means we will have all the resources needed to communicate our plan to deliver the strong, honest, steady leadership New Yorkers deserve.”
Despite losing to Adams in 2021, Stringer seems to be making strides toward a comeback. He has raised $3.2 million for his mayoral exploratory committee since January, said his campaign. “Our campaign has continued to bring in the resources we need to run a top-tier race with a robust operation that gets our message out to all corners of the city, no matter what shape the race takes,” said Stringer in a statement. “New Yorkers know our city is at a crossroads and are tired of not getting what they need from the city government. They’re ready for disciplined management of the city’s bureaucracy and practical, pragmatic solutions to help make life here more affordable, stay safe, and get the peace of mind that comes with knowing their municipal government is running smoothly and is responsive to them.”
Myrie and Ramos are pulling up the rear in fundraising with solid, scrappy underdog vibes.
Myrie is running a grassroots campaign and is expected to get up to $2 million with matching fund payouts.
“New Yorkers from every corner of the city are rallying behind Zellnor because they’re eager for fresh, new leadership in City Hall,” said spokesperson Monica Klein in a statement. “In the face of a housing shortage and rising cost of living, Zellnor is running to make our city livable and affordable — and grassroots donors are stepping up to support this vision.”
Ramos, who only just announced her campaign about three weeks ago, has raised the least amount so far. “I am grateful to every donor and supporter, and look forward to building on this strong start,” she said in a statement. “We’re powered by working New Yorkers who want what’s best for this city.”
The last campaign finance filing period was Oct. 11. The NYCCFB concluded its most recent meeting on Oct. 17.
According to NYCCFB Executive Director Paul Seamus Ryan, “116 campaigns reported their financial activity on time. Staff are working right now on audit and compliance reviews of these disclosure reports, evaluating each participating candidate’s public funds threshold status, payment eligibility, and overall compliance. Candidates should expect to receive their statement reviews by November 12 with a response deadline of January 15.” He noted that “2025 candidates may respond as early as November 22 to have the newly submitted information be considered for the first public funds payment on December 16.”
As of now, all campaigns are in compliance, said NYCCFB.
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