The New York City Campaign Finance Board today issued $285,730 in public matching funds to four candidates in the upcoming special election for City Council District 45 covering Flatbush, East Flatbush, Flatlands, Midwood and Canarsie.
The four candidates receiving public funds are:
Jovia Radix (Justice For All): $93,442
Xamayla Rose (Rose For Progress): $67,663
Adina Sash (Community First): $3,519
L. Rickie Tulloch (People Movement): $121,106
The public financing to Radix, Rose and Tulloch levels the playing field between them and perceived frontrunners Farah Louis and Monique Chandler-Waterman, who last week each received $135,375 in public financing for their campaigns for the seat left open with former City Councilman Jumaane Williams being elected public advocate.
Tulloch, in particular, is expected to make a stronger push as he has nearly as much money now as both Louis and Chandler-Waterman.
Today was also a second windfall for Sash who is the only candidate to receive payments both times, to an estimated total of $73,971 and gives her a good amount of funds as the only Jewish candidate in a field of Afro-Caribbean and Caribbean candidates.
In total, the CFB has provided $625,891 in public matching funds to six candidates in a field of eight running in the May special election.
Noticeably missing on both payments schedules has been the only two other men left in the eight-person race, Anthony Alexis (Putting Our Community First) and Victor Jordan (Last Chance). Currently, Jordan has a measly $395 in his account going into the home stretch with Alexis owing over $1,00.
There is one final payment left in the race which will be issued on Thursday, May 9.
Special election candidates had the choice of participating in the new program or in the old program, which matches contributions at a $6-to-$1 rate. All eight special election candidates opted-in to the new $8-to-$1 program.
To qualify for public matching funds, candidates must meet the nonpartisan objective criteria set in the law. In the special election, candidates must receive a minimum of 75 contributions from residents of the 45th City Council District, and must receive at least $5,000 in match-eligible contributions from city residents.
Only the match-eligible portion ($175 or less) may count towards the threshold. Candidates must comply with all program rules, including individual contribution limits and a prohibition on contributions from corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships, to be eligible for public funds.
The special election will be held on Tuesday, May 14.
