Zohran Mamdani’s campaign for mayor in New York City has seen a significant amount of support from Super PAC donations, with about 78% of the nearly $2.4 million raised coming from donors outside of New York.
These contributions from liberal donors across the country have included substantial checks. For instance, records indicate that $762,631 has come from 26 donors in California, with most of that sum originating from just two individuals.
It seems that the PAC, formed to support Mamdani, reflects a broader trend of out-of-state finances driving not just his campaign, but potentially the growing influence of leftist movements in the U.S. Some critics argue that this isn’t really about what’s best for New York City, but more about promoting a national socialist agenda funded by out-of-state billionaires.
Comments from political figures, including Mamdani himself, highlight a degree of resentment. He stated, “New Yorkers don’t need lectures from California billionaires on how to live, work, and raise their families.”
Other significant contributions have come from Washington, D.C., totaling $212,000, and $170,000 from Illinois.
Political consultant Hank Schenkop suggests that if Mamdani were to win, it might pave the way for a national movement aimed at elevating socialist candidates in other major cities. “New York is the number one target,” he said, emphasizing the stakes in this campaign.
Interestingly, only 22% of the funding for Mamdani’s PAC has come from New York residents, amounting to $526,675.
In comparison, previous campaigns, like that of Andrew Cuomo, demonstrated a much stronger base of local support, with 74% of his funding coming from within the state. Mayor Adams also enjoys significant backing from locals in his re-election bid.
Mamdani’s support from out-of-state PACs has exceeded that of his own campaign committee, which had recently announced reaching an $8 million cap following Cuomo’s surprising primary loss.
While more than half of Mamdani’s donations post-primary have come from out of state, this is a stark contrast to the local support he received before Cuomo’s defeat.
Critics, including Republican candidate Curtis Swawa, have described Mamdani’s reliance on outside funding as “astroturf” rather than grassroots campaigning, questioning his authenticity. “It’s not grassroots. It’s astroturf and he’s not who he says,” Swawa remarked.
The pro-Mamdani PAC has already allocated nearly $1.4 million on advertising and campaign resources, heavily leaning on consultants from D.C., California, and even Canada.
As for Mamdani’s campaign team, they’ve yet to respond to inquiries about the PAC’s funding and strategy.
