Cuomo, Front-runner In The New York Mayor’s Race, Denied Millions In Matching Funds

NEW YORK — New York City’s campaign finance regulators rejected mayoral front-runner Andrew Cuomo’s request for around $2.5 million in public matching funds Tuesday, an embarrassing glitch for a bid predicated on experience and competence.

Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi blamed fundraising software the team used that he said was missing a field required by the board. After regulators flagged the issue Friday, the campaign rushed to gather information from donors, blasting out an email Sunday morning titled “Urgent – Action Required.”

But it was too late.

“We have since fully addressed the software issue and have complied with all requirements and will be submitting the proper documentation to the Board within the one week grace period the board allows to remedy technical issues," Azzopardi said in a statement.

Campaign finance records indicate the campaign will be eligible for around $2.5 million in matching funds May 12, provided it makes the mandatory fixes.

Though the news undercuts Cuomo’s argument that he is the most competent of the Democrats looking to replace Mayor Eric Adams, it’s not much of a financial setback for the former governor. Cuomo reported raking in more than $1.5 million in just two weeks after launching his campaign and has brought in an additional $1 million in the month since the last reporting deadline, Azzopardi said Tuesday. He had $1.2 million in the bank March 13 and is being boosted by a super PAC that’s raised nearly $5 million.

Nearly every other top mayoral campaign received payouts Tuesday — including Jim Walden, who is running as a political independent. The board continues to deny Adams $4.5 million in matching funds over bookkeeping irregularities.

Upon announcing he would run as an independent instead of a Democrat, the mayor said he would appeal the ruling in court if need be. But he has yet to take any official action to fight the decision.