New York Governor Kathy Hochul's campaign appears to have a substantial financial advantage over her Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and Democratic primary challenger, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. In the last six months alone, Hochul has raised $5.5 million and now holds around $20.2 million in her campaign war chest.
However, the introduction of New York's public finance system could potentially close this gap for Delgado. The new system provides matching funds to candidates who meet certain requirements, including raising a minimum amount from a set number of residents. This could level the playing field and make it easier for Delgado to compete with Hochul.
Delgado has already begun touring the state and announcing endorsements, including that of two democratic socialist lawmakers from Brooklyn. His campaign is also expected to benefit from matching funds under the public finance system, which he believes will help him compete against an entrenched political machine backed by billionaire donors.
Blakeman's campaign, on the other hand, appears less likely to benefit from the public finance system due to the eligibility threshold requirements. While Blakeman has registered for the program, his campaign has not met the necessary criteria.
The introduction of this new public finance system may bring more candidates into the fray and make elections in New York more competitive. For those who can meet the requirements, it could provide a welcome boost in fundraising capabilities and level the playing field against better-funded opponents.
Meanwhile, Libertarian candidate Larry Sharpe is attempting to qualify for matching funds, citing his relatively modest raise of $100,000 as a potential source of additional funding. With support from 8% of voters in a recent poll, Sharpe believes that unlocking matching funds could have a significant impact on the campaign.
The real question now is whether Delgado can capitalize on the public finance system and use it to his advantage in the campaign against Hochul.
However, the introduction of New York's public finance system could potentially close this gap for Delgado. The new system provides matching funds to candidates who meet certain requirements, including raising a minimum amount from a set number of residents. This could level the playing field and make it easier for Delgado to compete with Hochul.
Delgado has already begun touring the state and announcing endorsements, including that of two democratic socialist lawmakers from Brooklyn. His campaign is also expected to benefit from matching funds under the public finance system, which he believes will help him compete against an entrenched political machine backed by billionaire donors.
Blakeman's campaign, on the other hand, appears less likely to benefit from the public finance system due to the eligibility threshold requirements. While Blakeman has registered for the program, his campaign has not met the necessary criteria.
The introduction of this new public finance system may bring more candidates into the fray and make elections in New York more competitive. For those who can meet the requirements, it could provide a welcome boost in fundraising capabilities and level the playing field against better-funded opponents.
Meanwhile, Libertarian candidate Larry Sharpe is attempting to qualify for matching funds, citing his relatively modest raise of $100,000 as a potential source of additional funding. With support from 8% of voters in a recent poll, Sharpe believes that unlocking matching funds could have a significant impact on the campaign.
The real question now is whether Delgado can capitalize on the public finance system and use it to his advantage in the campaign against Hochul.
like finally something's being done to level the playing field in NY politics! delgado has been talking a good game but honestly he needs all that cash to even compete with hochul's machine 
it's time for some real change and if delgado can pull off this matching funds thing, watch out world 
blakeman's gotta do better than just throwing in the towel 
sharpe's got a shot too but let's be real he's still gonna get eaten alive 
so fingers crossed for delgado and that public finance system is about to shake things up 
I mean, Delgado needs that boost to compete with Hochul's deep pockets, and if he can get it, watch out New York 
. And can we talk about Sharpe trying to qualify for matching funds? $100k is cute, but still not enough 
. He's gotta do better than that if he wants a shot at the top spot. But you know what? I'm kinda rooting for him anyway 
. There's something refreshing about an underdog candidate who actually has a shot at making it happen. Fingers crossed Delgado can take advantage of this system and give Hochul a run for her money 
!
about delgado & his chances now! he's got this 
and hes already touring the state, that's some solid groundwork laid 
meanwhile blakeman's all like "oh noes" 
cuz his campaign cant take advantage of it 
and let's be real bruce blakeman is just toast 
his campaign is like, so old news at this point anyway...larry sharpe on the other hand is cute 
. i'm still on the fence about delgado tho, he's got some good endorsements but Hochul's got that cash 
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall 
- Nelson Mandela
. IT'S LIKE LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD AND GIVING THE PEOPLE A VOICE IN THE PROCESS. IF DELGADO CAN GET HIS CAMPAIGN OFF THE GROUND, I THINK HE'VE GOT A GOOD CHANCE OF TAKING DOWN HOCHUL. AND AS FOR BLAKEMAN, WELL, HE JUST GOT SPOILED BY BEING A COUNTY EXEC - IT'S TIME FOR HIM TO LEARN HOW TO RUN A STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN 
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. There's gotta be some fine print somewhere.
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. And if he can just meet those requirements for matching funds, he could totally compete with Hochul without having to beg billionaire donors 
. It's like, fair play, you know? Plus, it could bring more candidates into the game, which would be awesome 
. Larry Sharpe is trying to qualify too, but we'll see if he can make a difference