At least a dozen PACs are looking to spend on the NYC mayoral race

New York City has a pretty generous campaign finance public matching system, but it pales in comparison to the millions in outside spending that was dropped on mayoral candidates in the Democratic primary – most of it to boost former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo’s defeat to Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani in that race hasn’t stopped his ambitions for mayor – he’s running as an independent – and it’s unlikely to stop the monied interests from throwing down for any of their favored candidates in a more competitive mayoral general election than the city has seen for a while. From a cohort of anti-Mamdani PACs to the pro-Cuomo Fix the City and a cryptocurrency-targeted pro-Eric Adams PAC, here are the committees that have already registered to spend in the New York City mayoral general election and have continued to raise money before November.

Fix the City

Pro-Cuomo

Cuomo allies, including former Secretary to the Governor Steven Cohen, launched this PAC during the primary – seeded with hefty donations including $8.3 million from former Mayor Mike Bloomberg – that allowed it to drop nearly $15 million in support of Cuomo and nearly $8 million in opposition to Mamdani. The PAC has reportedly raised more than a million dollars in the past week. Since the primary, there have been donations from cosmetics billionaire William Lauder, Walmart heir Alice Walton and hedge fund owner David Rosen, and the PAC has reaffirmed its support of Cuomo as its choice to beat Mamdani.

New Yorkers for a Better Future Mayor 25

Anti-Mamdani

Political consultant Jeffrey Leb is the treasurer of this anti-Mamdani PAC, who also led a similarly named PAC that spent more than $1.2 million in more than a dozen City Council primary races earlier this year, with help from Bill Ackman and real estate bigs like Related Companies and Two Trees. The largest single donation to the new mayoral-focused PAC also comes from the real estate industry – $150,000 from Lightstone Real Estate Partners – though it has publicized a much loftier goal of raising as much as $25 million. Real estate execs Marty Burger and Aby Rosen are working with the PAC.

Save NYC

Anti-Mamdani

Former Republican Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey and former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly launched a new anti-Mamdani independent expenditure committee after the primary that McCaughey said is aimed at increasing general election turnout to an ambitious 50% of registered voters. They’re not planning to pick a favorite opponent to Mamdani. They’ve yet to report Fix the City-level fundraising, but billionaire Leonard Stern chipped in $25,000 and the group held a $1,000-per person fundraiser in July.

Defend NYC

Anti-Mamdani

Former Donald Trump campaign adviser Jason Meister launched this anti-Mamdani PAC in July, saying the committee planned to “blanket the city” with ads attacking Mamdani and his policies. The committee has brought in two $30,000 donations from a group called United for NY’s Future Inc.

Anyone But Mamdani

Anti-Mamdani

Former NYPD detective and current Trump ally Bo Dietl is keeping his goals simple with the name of this new anti-Mamdani PAC. The committee has brought in $85,000, including from former Trump spox Anthony Scaramucci. Dietl told the Daily News he most supports Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa in the race.

New Yorkers for Lower Costs

Pro-Mamdani

The most established (read: best funded) pro-Mamdani PAC launched during the primary, led by progressive political consultant Regina Monge. Among its post-primary fundraising is a surprising $250,000 donation from philanthropist Elizabeth Simons, daughter of the late billionaire investor James Simons. All told, the PAC has raised over $500,000 since the primary and has reported spending both in support of Mamdani and in opposition to Cuomo.

OneNYC

Pro-Mamdani

For all the hyperventilating that Mamdani’s primary victory caused in New York City’s board rooms, some tied to the business world are Mamdani boosters. That includes Yasser Salem, a partner at a small private investment firm, who chairs this pro-Mamdani PAC.

SURJ for a Livable New York

Pro-Mamdani

The national progressive organization Showing Up for Racial Justice is showing up in New York to try to increase Mamdani’s margins among white voters. He won a plurality of votes from majority white precincts in June’s primary – 39% – but the group sees room to grow. The committee has yet to report any fundraising.

We the People, America for All

Pro-Mamdani

The Pro-Palestine organization the Truth Project is backing Mamdani’s bid through this new PAC, which so far is funded with a modest $5,000 from the organization and $5,000 from a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm. The committee has promoted Mamdani’s proposal for “fast and free buses.”

Empower NYC

Pro-Adams

A cryptocurrency-aligned PAC led by former Brooklyn District Attorney candidate Abe George has raised over $1 million in support of Adams’ reelection bid. Spending by the committee includes ads attacking Cuomo’s relationships with Black communities. The committee has also come under some scrutiny. Adams appeared with the PAC’s former president at a crypto summit in May (both the campaign and PAC have denied collaboration), and the PAC has been slow to report spending to the city Campaign Finance Board.

Save the City

Pro-Adams

Real estate agent and Netflix reality TV star Eleonora Srugo launched a PAC in support of her friend Eric Adams, who she says needs another four years to have a shot at leaving a proper legacy of good work for the city. The PAC has yet to report any fundraising.

Protect the Protectors

Pro-Adams

Veteran political strategist Hank Sheinkopf wasn’t totally clear who this new PAC would support back when he opened it in July, though he’s against both Mamdani and Cuomo. Since then, however, the New York Post reported that the committee has phone-banked on behalf of Adams.

Warriors for Zero-Disparity Equality

Anti-everyone but Jim Walden

This PAC founded by Gosundi Wusiya, described in his filing as a political activist and entrepreneur in the Bronx, has stated several candidates it opposes including Adams, Cuomo, Mamdani and Sliwa – as well as City Council Member Pierina Sanchez. The PAC has not reported any fundraising.