New York City campaign finance regulators recently made a significant move by withholding over $600,000 in public funds from Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral campaign. The reason behind this decision? Suspicions of illegal coordination with a super PAC that supported his candidacy.
According to Richard Davis, a member of the New York City Campaign Finance Board, the board’s preliminary investigation suggests that Fix the City’s expenditure of $622,056 for an ad on May 4, 2025, may not have been independent of Cuomo’s campaign. While the investigation is ongoing, the board continues to delve into the issue of potential improper coordination.
The Impact on Cuomo’s Campaign
This development marks another hurdle for Cuomo’s campaign, which has already faced challenges navigating the city’s strict campaign finance regulations. Despite positioning himself as a candidate of competence and experience, Cuomo now finds himself at risk of severe penalties as the frontrunner in the Democratic primary.
For context, the city board matches qualifying donations up to $250 at an 8-to-1 rate for mayoral candidates, imposing spending caps in return. This environment is a departure for Cuomo, accustomed to more lenient rules and higher contribution limits during his tenure as governor in Albany.
While Cuomo’s campaign recently rectified paperwork issues and received over $1.5 million in approved payments from the board, the specter of ineligibility for public funds looms over any campaign found to be coordinating with super PACs. Such campaigns may also be required to repay previously received funds.
Response from Fix the City and Super PAC Support
Fix the City, the super PAC in question, has yet to comment on the situation. Reports indicate that the PAC has raised substantial funds to bolster Cuomo, including a sizable contribution from DoorDash. The PAC’s significant investment in TV ads supporting Cuomo surpasses that of all other candidates in the race.
In defense of his campaign, Cuomo’s spokesperson emphasized adherence to campaign finance laws and the approval process for all website content. Notably, the campaign experienced a surge in fundraising, with total contributions reaching $3.5 million and positive polling results.
Redboxing Controversy and Allegations
Central to the investigation is a webpage on Cuomo’s campaign site that allegedly outlined messaging and strategies usable by a super PAC, a practice commonly known as ‘redboxing.’ Despite denying any wrongdoing, Cuomo’s campaign removed the contentious page following the board’s warning against such practices.
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a primary opponent, lodged a complaint with the CFB, citing similarities between Fix the City’s TV ad and Cuomo campaign messaging. Myrie’s allegations paint Cuomo as a candidate willing to bend rules for personal gain, backed by a super PAC fueled by wealthy interests.
The unfolding saga underscores the complex interplay between campaign finance regulations, PAC support, and candidate integrity in the political arena, shedding light on the challenges and controversies inherent in modern election campaigns.
