New Yorkers are under the false impression that the taxpayer-funded New York City Campaign Finance Board is leveling the playing field to make voting for Gotham’s next mayor and other elected officials fair.
Just the opposite is true. The CFB is doling out obscene amounts of our money to tilt the scales in favor of left-wing candidates.
The political consultants, pollsters, and campaign industry raked in gobs of cash during the recent primary, while the city was pushed to the extreme left, nominating radical antisemite and communist Zohran Mamdani to be the Democratic candidate for mayor.
Looking ahead to the November general election, taxpayers will be paying more than $100 per vote cast. Worse, if the CFB is allowed to continue its biased methods, most of that money will support left-wing candidates, including Mamdani, and kneecap moderate rivals.
The CFB was established as an independent city agency in 1988 to give political newbies a fair shot at competing against established pols. The idea was that every dollar raised in small private contributions would be matched by a dollar of taxpayer funds.
Since then, the match has been increased to a staggering $8 to $1 in the primary and another $8 to $1 in the general election. It’s a goldmine for candidates in the CFB’s good graces. As Mamdani apparently appears to be.
But not everyone is.
Last December, the CFB declared incumbent Mayor Eric Adams ineligible for public financing, alluding to federal allegations that have since been withdrawn. The CFB’s action was election meddling – the old “guilty until proven innocent” trick.
It’s not the first time. In 2013, the CFB denied matching funds to then-Comptroller John Liu in his race for the mayoralty, citing unproven allegations. That allowed the communist-loving dimwit Bill de Blasio to dominate – a disaster for the city.
This time around, the CFB is turning a blind eye to abuses by Mamdani that violate the spirit, and possibly the letter, of the public campaign finance system. On May 18, Mamdani urged supporters to donate to former City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams’ campaign. Some 370 of his supporters then gave to Adams, making her eligible for nearly $15,000 in public funding. That’s taxpayer money going to a candidate who didn’t have the grassroots support to qualify.
Not a word from the CFB, even after Adams then instructed her supporters to vote for Mamdani if the ranked-choice voting went into a second round or more.
CFB also chose to ignore the biggest contributor to Mamdani’s campaign: the Democratic Socialists of America. On Monday, DSA held a Zoom call displaying to its supporters what it provided to Mamdani’s campaign during the last six months: 1.6 million door knocks, 2.3 million phone dials, and 30,000 volunteers. DSA explained that it started early, trained leaders, and provided canvassing over six months in over 60 neighborhoods.
Businesses face severe donation restrictions, and candidates have to report every penny or in-kind resource they receive. But the DSA poured millions of dollars worth of expertise, manpower, and sweat equity into a hostile takeover of the Democratic primary on Mamdani’s behalf. The CFB was mum.
Mamdani’s also backed by a far-flung network of leftist nonprofits that receive taxpayer funding courtesy of Democratic lawmakers – then provide the expertise, manpower, and connections to win political races. They’re outstripping the unions in impact and influence.
And worse, gaming the campaign finance system and corrupting its original purpose.
Mamdani reportedly raised $1,708,494 in individual contributions, which the CFB matched $8 to $1 to yield a whopping $8.75 million just for the primary. But according to CFB filings, 94% – virtually all the contributions – were bundled by one person – Jerrod MacFarlane. He’s a professional fundraiser from The Action Lab, a left-of-center group. Action Lab is headquartered in Brooklyn, thanks to a “community projects” grant sponsored by Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez that paid for the building.
Mamdani frequently boasts about the grassroots volunteer movement powering his campaign. But what happened last Tuesday was not an organic rising up of everyday New Yorkers.
In a city and state dominated by the Left, lawmakers are using taxpayer money to boost the nonprofit radical advocacy industrial complex, which then orchestrates their reelection.
The CFB doles out more taxpayer money, pretending the process is fair.
Time to eliminate the CFB, let taxpayers off the hook, and devise another method to make elections fair.
Betsy McCaughey is a former Lt. Governor of New York State and founder of SAVENYC @SAVENYC.org. Follow her on Twitter @Betsy_McCaughey.
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The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.
Looks like as long as the CFB exists, there will always be unfair elections that favor the Left’s candidates. The people are screwed.
Well, gee, why don’t we allow the CFB to go into the jail system and pick out some more wonderfully communist America haters, social rejects, big mouth liars who will be preaching about Islam, and make NYC the biggest running sewer system of the United States. We already have so many other “political???” candidates living there under rocks and slithering out just long enough to add money and music to this slimball candidate Mamdani. Wonder if Obama got him a fake license to become a citizen of the US? Sounds like that is very possible.
New York and California make decisions which ordinary citizens cannot fathom. Why voters of those states elect and reelect such leaders is a mystery.
“I am shocked and surprised”, said no one anywhere…
It’s time to use the lefts actions against them. Sue in every court in every county for every offense possible.sue them until they bleed then sue them to clean up the mess.
If you’re into corruption New York City awaits you.
Wondered how all of these far-left loons kept getting “elected” in NY!! They have been uncovered but how do we end their corrupt practices? Mamdani is a very dangerous man. I again ask why we have had no one come out to stand up for Silwa who is the Republican running for NYC mayor!! Seems that should be happening now.
Leave it to our enemies to device a system to deceive the voters. How come it is always the Democrats who are doing this? Something must be behind their treasonous activities. Could it be foreign money of our enemies? Watch out CA, you’ll be next.
This communist,liberal,leftist sounds like a thing that needs to be taught what AMERICA is about,but then New York is what it is,as is Illinos,Kalfornia and many others,all bottom feeders and in financial trouble.That IS socialism.
No surprises there, should the CFB uphold the law that would be shocking.
i have always said dems cheat
One sided system
ranked choise voting is the best way to cheat.
Large cities are primarily Democrat, progressive, leftist, etc. Why? Because a large percentage of its occupants live off the public dole.
I’m so glad neither NY or CA is, or has ever been, my home state. And I’ve never been a “city” dweller. I’ve been blessed that way, and by my Lord.
A new listing added to the definition of “screwworm”.
Let them have the communist but when they need Fed money they should not get a dime let them have the communist raise the money from all the rich people in the city and when they train everyone and the have a uprising there then the corrupt officials will be on the run with citizens after them for miss use of government funds to give the communist to make him rich. Let them have him no one else wants him.
Thank you for your very informative information and thanks to AMAC for posting your article. AMAC is living proof of how corrupt, liberal and woke/DEI AARP is. AARP is run much like the NYC election commission. aARP pretends to represent seniors best insight all their leadership is anti Christian, anti Constitutional and anti Conservative. The AARP was a strong deciding factor in the passing of Obamas Affordable Healthcare Act which was anything near affordable for the American tax payer. It was a big part of Obamas nine Trillion deficit while in office.
No surprise there. Commie controlled elections. DOJ GET ON IT AND DROP THE DAMN HAMMER ON THESE CORRUPT, CRIMINAL SCUM BAGS.
Mamdani as mayor is EXACTLY what the residents of NYC deserve! Their fixation on DemoKKKRAT Socialism and TDS will spell their doom! When things begin falling apart, President Trump may well have to step in, declare Martial Law and restore order while the LIEberals scream in rage and frustration.
Democrats are crooks. Always have been.
Imo
Well, the US is famous for skullduggery that occurs at all levels of government. Boy do we ever have a lot of things in our country that need to be fixed.