NYC Campaign Finance Board Approves $17.3M in Matching Funds Payments to 2021 Candidates

12/15/2020

The NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) approved public matching funds payments totaling $17,263,525 to 61 candidates in the 2021 New York City elections. This payment marks the first of many opportunities for 2021 candidates to qualify for public funding by raising small contributions from NYC residents.

Today's payment reflects the impact of the improved $8-to-$1 matching rate, more robust candidate guidance and training, and increased interest in running for local offices. Two mayoral candidates, one comptroller candidate, two borough presidency candidates, and 56 City Council candidates qualified for payment. There are 45 candidates receiving public matching funds for the first time ever, and 14 candidates are receiving a maximum payment. Over 96 percent of candidates in the 2021 elections are participating in the program, though participation does not guarantee payment.

To qualify for public funds, candidates must demonstrate support from within their communities by raising small contributions within the city and its communities. This encourages the candidates to spend more time speaking to voters and less time fundraising. The exact thresholds that candidates must meet to qualify for public funds differs between offices.

2021 MAYORAL CANDIDATES
Candidate Office Payment on
December 15
Adams, Eric L Mayor $4,388,102
Stringer, Scott M Mayor $3,330,535
All Candidates Mayor $7,718,637

 

2021 COMPTROLLER CANDIDATES
Candidate Office Payment on
December 15
Lander, Brad Comptroller $2,344,442
All Candidates Comptroller $2,344,442

 

2021 BOROUGH PRESIDENCY CANDIDATES
Candidate Office Payment on
December 15
Kallos, Benjamin J Manhattan BP $460,651
Matteo, Steven Staten Island BP $382,722
All Candidates All Borough Presidents $843,373

 

2021 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Candidate City Council District Payment on
December 15
Maron, Maud District 1 $160,444*
Marte, Christopher District 1 $159,779
Bottcher, Erik District 3 $160,444*
Freeland, Billy District 5 $137,803
Moscaritolo, Kim District 5 $160,444*
Shimamura, Tricia District 5 $109,075
Lind, Sara K District 6 $120,179
Abreu, Shaun District 7 $160,301
Allen-Cummings, Marti G District 7 $160,444*
Cohen, Daniel M District 7 $160,444*
Ayala, Diana District 8 $82,982
De La Rosa, Carmen District 10 $160,420
Fernandez, Angela District 10 $107,981
Garcia, Johanna District 10 $160,444*
Perez, Josue G District 10 $54,340
Sanchez, Pierina A District 14 $160,444*
Tapia, Yudelka District 14 $66,842
Stevens, Althea District 16 $81,419
Farias, Amanda District 18 $160,444*
Avella, Tony District 19 $84,018
Lee, Richard District 19 $155,648
Chen, Hailing District 20 $72,101
Ung, Sandra District 20 $140,068
Bullaro, Leonardo District 22 $116,082
Hantzopoulos, Evie District 22 $97,189
Krishnan, Shekar District 25 $93,366
Brea, Lorenzo District 26 $65,573
Forman, Julia L District 26 $48,321
O'Leary, Brent M District 26 $106,620
Schulman, Lynn C District 29 $160,444*
Ardila, Juan D District 30 $74,229
Scala, Michael G District 32 $41,078
Singh, Felicia District 32 $93,594
Adams, Elizabeth District 33 $160,444*
Sherman, Stuart C District 33 $50,046
Solotaire, Benjamin District 33 $48,404
Somboun, April District 33 $72,192
Gutierrez, Jennifer District 34 $94,582
Hudson, Crystal District 35 $160,444*
Aviles, Alexa District 38 $106,750
Hanif, Shahana District 39 $160,444*
Krebs, Justin M District 39 $154,470
West, Brandon District 39 $117,409
Joseph, Rita C District 40 $145,958
Morris, Blake District 40 $54,697
Pierre, Josue District 40 $115,003
Florentino, Wilfredo District 42 $64,463
Lucas, Nikki District 42 $126,282
Brazela, Gardy District 46 $157,776
Willabus, R. Dimple District 46 $97,489
Patzer, Steven D District 47 $107,312
Saperstein, Steven District 48 $160,444*
Barnes, Amoy K District 49 $160,444*
Hanks, Kamillah M District 49 $83,440
Ogunleye, Ranti District 49 $39,064
Richards, Kelvin District 49 $46,512
All Candidates All Districts $6,357,073
*Represents a maximum public funds payment in the 2021 City Council primary elections under the new "Option A" program.

DISCLOSURE AND PAYMENT CALENDAR

Candidates in the 2021 New York City elections filed their most recent disclosure reports with the CFB on July 15, 2020. The above payments are based on campaign financial data provided by this deadline. The next disclosure reports are due on January 15, 2021. There will be a public funds payment in February based on disclosures filed on January 15. There are eight public funds payments scheduled prior to the primary election on June 22.

HOW THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE PROGRAM WORKS

The CFB provides matching funds out of the city's General Fund to qualifying candidates at a rate of $8 for every $1 received from New York City residents, up to the first $175 for donations to City Council and Borough President candidates, and up to $250 for donations to citywide candidates, for a maximum payment-per-resident of $1,400 or $2,000, respectively.

To qualify for matching funds, candidates must demonstrate support from within their communities by meeting a two-part fundraising threshold and abide by the other requirements set in the Campaign Finance Act. For instance, to qualify for public funding in City Council races, candidates must raise at least $5,000 from city residents. Only the first $175 contributed per city resident counts towards meeting the threshold. Additionally, City Council candidates must receive at least 75 contributions from residents of the district where they are running. Candidates also must comply with all program rules, including individual contribution limits and a prohibition on collecting contributions from corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships.

The matching rate increased to $8-to-$1 in November 2018 when it was adopted by voters along with other improvements to the matching funds program. For 2021, candidates may choose to participate in the previous program, which provides public funds at a $6-to-$1 matching rate. However, 98 percent of 2021 candidates participating in the program are choosing to abide by the new rules.

CANDIDATE SERVICES

The CFB's Candidate Services staff offers candidates extensive support by providing access to trainings, resources, and one-on-one guidance to help campaigns navigate their disclosure requirements and compliance obligations. For the 2021 elections, the agency published a detailed guidance document with the payment schedule, requirements, and applicable deadlines for candidates to follow.

FOLLOW THE MONEY

More information about the candidates' campaign finance data is available on the CFB website in the Campaign Finance Summary portal. Individual contributions, campaign spending, intermediaries, and independent PAC expenditures are available in the CFB's Follow the Money database.