Secret PAC Funneled $8 Million Into NYC Mayoral Race, Raising Coordination Concerns
A secretive political action committee, Put NYC First, directed more than $8 million from wealthy donors into independent spending groups during the final days of the recent mayoral campaign, with some efforts appearing to have been coordinated with the campaign of former Governor Andrew Cuomo, potentially violating campaign finance rules.
The investigation revealed that Put NYC First channeled funds to seven independent expenditure committees – including New Yorkers for a Better Future Mayor 2025 and For Our City – which then launched ads attacking Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani and, in some instances, supporting Cuomo. At one point, For Our City released a video featuring the Cuomo campaign’s official logo urging voters to support the former governor. Ricky Sandler, CEO of Put NYC First, even directly solicited donations for Cuomo’s campaign from potential contributors, writing in an October email that the campaign was approximately $1 million short of its maximum contribution limit.
Donations flowed rapidly from donors to Put NYC First and then to the independent expenditure committees, sometimes within the same day. For Our City received $4.6 million, utilizing the funds for video ads, text messaging, and communications opposing Mamdani and supporting Cuomo. Notably, a controversial ad run by For Our City juxtaposed Mamdani with images of the September 11 attacks, sparking widespread criticism. This type of “pass-through” funding also shielded donor identities, as Put NYC First was listed in ad disclosures rather than individual contributors like Michael Bloomberg and Bill Ackman, who each donated $1 million. The Campaign Finance Board has previously penalized Cuomo’s campaign for improper coordination with one group, Fix the City, highlighting the importance of maintaining separation between campaigns and independent spenders; learn more about campaign finance regulations in New York City.
Cuomo campaign spokesman Rich Azzopardi stated the campaign had no knowledge of the logo use or Sandler’s solicitation, while Sandler declined to comment. The Campaign Finance Board has not yet commented on the new allegations. The findings raise questions about the influence of large donations and potential circumvention of campaign finance laws, which are designed to ensure fair elections and limit the power of wealthy individuals and organizations; you can find more information about the Federal Election Commission and its role in regulating campaign finance.
