Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic socialist who won his party’s nomination in June against former state governor Andrew Cuomo, pulled in almost double the funds of his nearest rivals for the New York City mayoral race between early July and mid-August. According to the city’s campaign finance board on Saturday, Mamdani raised $1,051,200, with an average donation of $121, equally split between in-state and out-of-state donors. Cuomo raised $541,301, with an average contribution of $646. Incumbent mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent, collected $425,181, averaging $770 per donation, while Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa raised $407,332, the Guardian reported.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, according to the New York Post.Siena survey last week placed Mamdani 19 points ahead of Cuomo, his closest rival. A 12-poll average compiled by Decision Desk HQ showed Mamdani maintaining a 13-point lead.Zohran has advanced proposals such as rent freezes on nearly a million rent-stabilized apartments, free buses and childcare, city-run grocery stores, and higher taxes on Columbia and New York University to subsidize city colleges and trade schools. His fundraising advantage has been consistent throughout the race. In March, Mamdani had asked grassroots supporters to stop donating and instead focus on volunteering. His campaign currently has $4.4 million on hand and is eligible for $2.2 million in additional public matching funds. Last week, it emerged that Mamdani, who has styled himself as an anti-billionaire candidate, benefited from a $250,000 donation to a political action committee from Elizabeth Simons, daughter of late hedge fund billionaire Jamie Simons, the Guardian reported. Meanwhile, Adams was declared ineligible for matching campaign funds after the finance board ruled he had violated related laws. Cuomo has started transferring money from a $7.5 million state campaign account to his city campaign fund, with $1.2 million currently available. He is in line for about $400,000 more in public funds. Pressure has mounted on trailing candidates Adams and Sliwa to withdraw, but both rejected such calls. Adams reiterated his decision to stay in the race last week after close adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin was indicted for allegedly running a political-favors scheme that included seafood gifts and an acting role opposite Forest Whitaker. According to a Politico report, Cuomo told supporters at a fundraiser that Republican leaders, including Donald Trump, may urge GOP voters to switch support from Sliwa to block Mamdani. Trump has called Mamdani “a 100% Communist Lunatic,” while Mamdani has responded by saying he is “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare.”
