In a quick turn of events, Councilwoman Farah Louis has soared passed her main opponent in the upcoming 45th City Council District Democratic Primary and rematch, Monqiue Chandler-Waterman, getting a huge payday last week from the NYC Campaign Finance Board (NYC CFB).
Last Friday, CFB issued the second of three public matching funds payments to two candidates in the primary election, doling out a whopping $75,308 to Louis and a $16,948 to Chandler-Waterman.
This now puts Louis’ campaign funding in the lead going into the final weeks of the primary. The final CFB payment is slated for June 20.
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 45 PRIMARY ELECTION PUBLIC FUNDS
| Candidate | May 31
Payment |
June 7 Payment | Total
Received |
| Alexis, Anthony | — | — | — |
| Chandler-Waterman, Monique R | $49,628 | $16,948 | $66,576 |
| Louis, Farah N | — | $75,308 | $75,308 |
| Rose, Xamayla D | — | — | — |
| Total | $49,628 | $92,256 | $141,884 |
Farah’s campaign refused to comment on the June 7 disbursement, but late last month hinted at an upcoming big payday, telling KCP that they did put in for more than $13,000 for matching money and they expected to get upwards of as much as $106,000.
“Farah is following the proper process for matching and will receive matching this campaign season,” said Louis’ Spokesperson Tanisha Colon-Bibb, at the time.
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.
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 candidates opted-in to the new $8-to-$1 program.
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.
To qualify for public matching funds, candidates must meet the nonpartisan objective criteria set in the law. In the 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 of any contribution may count towards the threshold.
The district includes Flatbush, East Flatbush, Flatlands, Midwood, Canarsie.
