Money Talk: Levine Silent As He Leads in Matching Funds

The image of Benjamin Franklin of U.S. hundred dollar bill with afterimage of it repeated behind it.
Image credit: Never Sink Media

The New York City Campaign Finance Board has released further matching funds to candidates in races citywide this year, including that for Manhattan Borough President.

Council Member Mark Levine (Photo credit: Credit Emil Cohen/NY City Council)
Council Member Mark Levine
Council Member Ben Kallos (Photo credit: council.nyc.gov)
Council Member Ben Kallos

With $1,116,087 approved, Councilmember Mark Levine (D-Manhattan Valley, Manhattanville) leads in the race in funding by a longshot, yet he declined to comment on his recent fortune.

Councilmember Ben Kallos (D-Yorkville, Lenox Hill) has come out in second with $393,794 and credited his grassroots donor base for driving his support.

“Talking to New Yorkers every day I can hear our campaign is resonating with people–working people, not millionaires or the real estate lobby,” said Kallos. “Working people from every part of Manhattan are the ones funding this race thanks to the campaign finance laws I helped put into place. So far we are very happy with where we are on receiving matching funds payments and confident we will be where we want to be very soon,”

At $303,358, Elizabeth Caputo came in third, while former Deputy Secretary of Economic Development for New York State Lindsey Boylan came in fourth at $259,783.

Elizabeth Caputo (Photo source: elizabethcaputo.com)
Elizabeth Caputo
Lindsey Boylan (Photo source: Lindsey Boylan's campaign)
Lindsey Boylan

“In just the few short months since we started our campaign for borough president, we saw a surge of grassroots contributors across Manhattan who share our excitement for the most progressive policy platform in this election. It’s invigorating to have hit this milestone in less than half the time as any other candidate in this race, and to see our supporters lifted up by the City’s incredible matching funds program,” said Boylan.

“I’m so proud of the momentum we’ve built together in this race, from receiving the Grand Street Dems endorsement last week to hearing from grassroots supporters every day from across Manhattan. Today’s development enables us to keep amplifying our message and connect with even more voters on our path to victory in June.”