Billionaire hedge fund supervisor Invoice Ackman has donated $250,000 to an excellent PAC supporting Andrew Cuomo’s marketing campaign for New York Metropolis mayor, based on current marketing campaign finance disclosures.
Ackman, a longtime Democrat who not too long ago introduced his assist for President Trump, made the donation to Repair the Metropolis, a political motion committee backing Cuomo, the previous governor who has attracted the assist of GOP-affiliated figures as he makes an attempt a political comeback.
Ackman’s contribution, which was first reported by Politico, helped the pro-Cuomo PAC surpass $4.8 million in complete fundraising, giving the previous governor a substantial benefit over his extra progressive rivals.
New Yorkers for Higher Management, an excellent PAC fashioned to oppose Cuomo’s candidacy, reported just one qualifying contribution — a $1,000 donation from local weather tech investor Thomas O’Keefe, Politico reported.
Different anti-Cuomo teams have raised restricted funds as nicely.
New Yorkers for Decrease Prices, which helps democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, has introduced in simply $56,500. In the meantime, a bunch working below the slogan “Don’t Rank Evil Andrew for Mayor” has reported a mere $10,500 in sizable contributions.
Repair the Metropolis, by comparability, has drawn 71 massive donors since early March, together with heavyweights in the actual property and enterprise sectors.
Among the many notable current contributors: builders Kamran and Frederick Elghanayan of TF Cornerstone ($25,000 every); packaging magnate Dennis Mehiel ($50,000); and Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff, a Republican who served as New Jersey’s state treasurer below former Governor Chris Christie ($5,000).
These donations underscore Cuomo’s enchantment to monetary elites as he leads in early mayoral polls.
Ackman’s assist additional illustrates the bizarre political alliances forming within the race.
Ackman, recognized for his outspoken views, has drawn criticism for opposing range, fairness, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, prompting common protests from civil rights chief Al Sharpton.
Although he not too long ago broke with Trump on tariffs, he rapidly applauded the previous president’s choice to delay new levies, calling it “brilliantly executed” and praising it as “Textbook, Art of the Deal.”
Ackman and Repair the Metropolis declined to touch upon the donation.
His political exercise has spanned each main events. Along with supporting Cuomo, he gave $2,034 to long-shot Democratic candidate Whitney Tilson, a fellow Harvard alum, and beforehand contributed $250,000 to an excellent PAC for Ray McGuire throughout the 2021 mayoral race.
Cuomo’s fundraising haul has drawn backlash from opponents who argue his donor base is out of step with progressive Democratic values.
“No one is surprised Trump agent Ackman is bankrolling Cuomo’s Super PAC,” mentioned Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for Metropolis Comptroller and mayoral hopeful Brad Lander.
“Cuomo himself accepted thousands in donations from MAGA donors who helped elect Trump.”
Lauren Hitt, talking for New Yorkers for Higher Management, insisted there’s nonetheless room for a well-funded problem.
“Cuomo is still very beatable,” she mentioned. “His lead is primarily rooted in the fact that his challengers are virtually unknown.”
Earlier supporters of Repair the Metropolis embody leisure mogul Barry Diller, Walmart inheritor Alice Walton, and singer Billy Joel, a longtime pal of Cuomo.
The PAC is run by Steven Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant.
Whereas mayoral candidates within the metropolis’s matching funds program face a $2,100 donation cap, tremendous PACs can settle for limitless contributions as long as they continue to be unbiased of the campaigns.
The Put up has sought remark from Ackman and Cuomo.
