NEW YORK — The Campaign Finance Board awarded City Comptroller Brad Lander just under $3 million in public matching funds Wednesday.
That payment solidified the left-leaning Democrat’s decision to run against New York City Mayor Eric Adams and rectified an embarrassing paperwork error that kept millions of dollars from flowing into his campaign coffers last month.
“This incredible response shows that New Yorkers are hungry for honest, effective leadership,” Lander said in a statement.
Wednesday’s award injects much-needed cash into Lander’s political operation just as the race begins in earnest. While the former Brooklyn council member had raised nearly $1 million worth of contributions as of Oct. 7, he had less than $279,338 in his warchest, according to records from the finance board. The board is set to publish updated fundraising numbers Wednesday from Lander and the rest of the field. In advance of that amendment, Lander’s campaign said he has raised an additional $218,299, which the team predicted will turn into around $1 million once matching funds are awarded.
Lander is considered a leading challenger to Adams, a moderate Democrat who is facing a tough path to reelection. And despite his long history of championing progressive policies, the comptroller recently unveiled a plan to end street homelessness that puts him in the company of other left-leaning officials tacking to the center when it comes to New Yorkers’ concerns about crime.
Despite Lander’s status as a serious contender for Gracie Mansion — and the city’s chief number-cruncher — his campaign failed to qualify for public matching funds last month after missing a crucial paperwork deadline.
In addition to Lander, the increasingly crowded mayoral field is shaping up to include former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who recently topped a poll of likely voters but has not officially entered the race, and former Comptroller Scott Stringer, who was the first candidate to qualify for public matching funds.
On Wednesday, the board also awarded Stringer an additional $68,500.