Adams Campaign Sees Significant Financial Boost
Mayor Eric Adams’ independent effort to retain his position at City Hall has received a notable influx of funds following an unexpected setback for former governor Andrew Cuomo, who faced a surprising defeat by lesser-known socialist councilor Zoran Mamdani.
Recent campaign finance reports show that between June 25 and July 11, Adams’ campaign raised $1.5 million from over 1,600 contributors. This is a stark contrast to the mere $8,000 he gathered in the initial two weeks of the filing period prior to Mamdani’s challenge.
The impressive fundraising total was significantly bolstered by SL Green, the largest commercial landlord in New York City, where 60 employees contributed during a fundraising event hosted by Real Estate Group CEO Marc Holliday. Numerous additional donations came from various real estate firms and developers, including Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE, JLL, and Silverstein Properties.
“Our campaign is thriving after the Democratic primary, and the fundraising reflects that,” said Todd Shapiro, the campaign spokesman for Adams. He expressed concern about the possible consequences of the election, emphasizing that voters feel they “can’t afford to step back.” He added, “This campaign is lively, united, and ready to win.”
Even so, Adams’s financial pool remains limited, as he has over $4.2 million cash on hand without public matching funds. His road ahead appears challenging; current polling indicates he is trailing significantly, positioned in third or fourth place, and more than 20 points behind the leading Democratic candidates, including Mamdani.
The recent lawsuit against Adams came at an unfortunate time, as it accused him and his police associates of involvement in a significant criminal conspiracy. This arose amid his attempts to reshape his public persona after a rocky initial term.
Adams, Cuomo, and GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa are positioned as contenders targeting a moderate voter base, which includes both Democrats and Republicans, constituting a substantial independent voting demographic. The trio has repeatedly urged one another to withdraw from the race, asserting that only they can appeal to younger, progressive voters claiming leadership of New York City.
Cuomo, who recently announced his own campaign, has struggled to gather fundraising momentum, accumulating only $80,000 during the entire reporting period. Meanwhile, Sliwa has been left with a modest total of around $100,000, having raised just under $170,000 in the last few weeks.
In the mix, attorney Jim Walden, who is yet to register in the polls, has raised a mere $59,000 amidst a tumultuous electoral landscape. Conversely, Mamdani is emerging as a strong contender, with his fundraising efforts nearing $850,000 as he approaches a projected total of about $2.6 million leading up to the general election.
