Cuomo, front-runner in the New York mayor’s race, denied millions in matching funds
From POLITICO:
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is currently running for Mayor of NYC, hit a campaign roadblock as his campaign was denied $2.5 million in public matching funds by campaign finance regulators. The Cuomo campaign claims that the denial was due to a technical error with the fundraising software they used, which did not collect required information, and that they would be re-submitting the request. Even without the matching funds, the Cuomo campaign has still raised more than $2.5 million, alongside support from a PAC that has raised almost $5 million.
Progressives rake in cash and senators prepare for tough races: Takeaways from the new campaign finance reports
From NBC News:
Some of the first campaign finance reports of the year have revealed how campaigns and parties are already gearing up for the 2026 midterms. Progressives who have positioned themselves in opposition to President Trump have raised significant amounts of money, including Senator Bernie Sanders, who has pulled in over $11.5 million this year. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has raised more than $9.6 million. On the other side of the aisle, Republican Senators John Cornyn and Bill Cassidy, who are both expecting primary challenges, have raised $1.6 and $2.3 million, respectively.
What happens to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ campaign money now that she’s not running?
From The Gazette:
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced that she would not run for re-election in 2026, despite having more than $3 million in her campaign account. She now has several options for what to do with the money. She could refund it to donors, but is not required to, even if the donors request a refund. She could also hold onto the money in case she decides to run for office again, or donate it to charity. If she wishes to use it for political purposes immediately, she cannot give it to another candidate directly, but can give it to a political party which can then distribute it to candidates as it sees fit.
Fraud alert: Thieves just stole big money from a dozen politicians and political committees
From OpenSecrets:
As political committees raise and spend millions of dollars, it’s no surprise that they’re attracting attention from thieves and scammers. Recently, Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s leadership political action committee lost almost $6,000 in a “check fraud” incident. Analysis by OpenSecrets has found that more than a dozen elected officials and political committees have fallen victim to theft, fraud, or “other financial shenanigans.” In total, the amount of money stolen has reached millions of dollars.
Bloomberg Pumps Cash Into the Long-Term Legal Fight Against Trump
From The New York Times:
Michael Bloomberg’s gun control group, Everytown for Gun Safety, is planning to spend at least $10 million supporting Democratic attorney general candidates in 2025 and 2026, as part of a broader agenda to oppose President Trump. The group is planning to spend in 10 different states, as part of its “Everytown Rule of Law Fund.” The group’s president, John Feinblatt, says that the effort is more about opposing actions by the Trump administration than it is proactively pushing for gun control measures, the group’s original purpose.
