Common Cause NY Calls on Mamdani to Reconsider Foregoing Matching Funds

Says Action Betrayals Mayor's Progressive Values

NEW YORK, NY (07/16/2026) (readMedia)-- Today, it was reported that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will forego public matching funds in his reelection campaign because he seeks private funding in that campaign to exert "national" influence. Common Cause NY Executive Director Susan Lerner issued the following statement in response to these reports:

"Mayor Mamdani is sending the wrong message to voters by opting out of New York City's highly respected and effective public matching funds system. This decision betrays his stated values and promises that he's focused solely on being mayor of New York City. Common Cause NY urges Mayor Mamdani to reconsider this rash decision, stick with the public matching fund system that helped him win his office, and be the mayor that New Yorkers voted for."