Cuomo Stumbles in Campaign Finance Blow: NYC Front-Runner Denied Millions in Public Funds

Technical Glitches and Filing Errors Threaten Momentum of Former Governor’s Mayoral Bid

Cuomo Denied Public Matching Funds Over “Technical Error”

In a surprising twist in the high-stakes 2025 New York City mayoral race, the Campaign Finance Board (CFB) has denied Andrew Cuomo’s campaign an expected $2.7 million in public matching funds. The former governor, widely considered the race’s front-runner, was dealt this financial blow due to what his team calls a “technical software error” that affected data submitted through fundraising platform NGP.

According to Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, although the campaign met all contribution thresholds, the CFB flagged that missing information in required fields rendered a significant portion of their donations ineligible.

---

CFB Cites Technical and Eligibility Issues in Rejection

The CFB stated that at least 20% of Cuomo’s campaign filings contained technical errors and failed to meet eligibility criteria for matching contributions. While the board acknowledged these errors may overlap, they ultimately concluded the campaign had not satisfied the standards necessary to release public funds.

Cuomo’s campaign, however, remains optimistic. “We’ve resolved the issue and will submit corrected documentation within the one-week grace period,” Azzopardi said, projecting eligibility for the next round of matching funds on May 12.

---

Emergency Appeals and Fundraising Amid Setback

In the wake of the board’s decision, Cuomo’s campaign scrambled to mitigate the damage, sending an urgent DocuSign request to donors asking them to complete verification forms required for public funding compliance. Despite the turmoil, the campaign claims to have raised $1 million in private funds since the March 13 filing deadline.

The setback marks Cuomo’s first significant campaign challenge since entering the race on March 1, after a hiatus from public office stemming from sexual misconduct allegations he continues to deny. His candidacy has been buoyed by early polling dominance and a super PAC—Fix the City—that has amassed over $4.8 million, primarily supported by GOP-aligned donors.

---

Cuomo Not Alone: Adams Also Denied Matching Funds

Current Mayor Eric Adams, who has opted to run independently, was again denied public matching funds. The CFB upheld its prior decision, stemming from a since-dismissed federal indictment that accused his 2021 campaign of defrauding the finance program.

New York City’s matching program is considered one of the most generous in the nation. It offers an 8-to-1 match on the first $250 of in-city donations. To qualify, candidates must meet a baseline of $250,000 raised from at least 1,000 city donors.

---

Rivals Reap Millions in Matching Fund Disbursements

While Cuomo and Adams were left empty-handed, many opponents secured substantial public support. Queens Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani led all candidates with $3.8 million in matching funds, edging closer to the program’s $8.3 million spending cap.

Other major recipients included City Comptroller Brad Lander ($861,800), former Comptroller Scott Stringer ($696,942), and State Senator Zellnor Myrie ($527,147). Independent candidate Jim Walden made history by becoming the first independent to receive public funds, netting nearly $2 million.

Some high-profile candidates—including City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, State Senator Jessica Ramos, ex-Bronx Assembly Member Michael Blake, and hedge fund executive Whitney Tilson—failed to meet the matching fund criteria this cycle.

---

Editorial Board Analysis: High Stakes, High Scrutiny

The denial of matching funds to Cuomo reflects the unforgiving nature of the city’s campaign finance system, even for the most prominent contenders. While Cuomo’s campaign is confident in its ability to correct the error, the incident raises broader questions about the technical barriers candidates face in navigating the CFB’s rigorous requirements.

With millions at stake and a crowded field gaining momentum, the race is shaping up not just as a political contest—but a financial chess match where precision may outweigh popularity.

---

Story by John Davis | Senior Political Correspondent, The Midtown Times
Edited by The Midtown Times Editorial Board
Photo Credit: AP/AM