The New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) today issued $129,469 in public matching funds to six candidates in the special election for City Council District 45 on Thursday. The six candidates receiving public funds are Monique Chandler-Waterman, Farah Louis, Jovia Radix, Xamayla Rose, Adina Sash, and Rickie Tulloch.
In total, the CFB has provided $752,360 in public matching funds to six candidates. This is the third and final payment in the special election that will be made prior to the May 14 special election. See the table below for a breakdown of each payment.
Improvements to the matching funds program were adopted by voters in November 2018 and applied to the 2019 election calendar by the City Council in January. Under the new limits and thresholds, the CFB provides public matching funds to qualifying City Council candidates at a matching rate of $8-to-$1 for the first $175 contributed by city residents. Each contribution from a New York City resident is eligible for a maximum matching funds payment of $1,400.
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.
The CFB’s Candidate Guidance and Policy staff offers extensive support to campaigns, providing access to training, resources, and one-on-one guidance to help them navigate their disclosure requirements and compliance obligations.
More information about the special election candidates’ campaign finance data is available on the CFB website in the Campaign Finance Summary portal. Individual contribution data is available in the Follow the Money database.