Bruce Blakeman’s Campaign Fund Request Rejected by Democrats: Impact on Political Landscape

In a significant setback for New York GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, a state board dominated by Democrats withheld millions in matching campaign funds over a paperwork issue on Tuesday.

The Public Campaign Finance Board’s narrow 4-3 vote along party lines excludes Blakeman from the state’s campaign finance program. This decision further boosts Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, who already enjoys a $20 million advantage over her opponent in campaign funds as the November election approaches.

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The board’s Democrats cited Blakeman’s disqualification due to his running mate, Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood, failing to submit required paperwork for matching funds—an obligation newly instituted this year.

During a heated discussion preceding the vote, Republican board members accused their Democratic counterparts of engaging in trivial politics.

“Engaging in ‘gotcha’ politics over this issue is, quite frankly, disgraceful,” remarked Republican Public Campaign Finance Board Commissioner Brian Kolb, who formerly served as the Assembly minority leader.

The board’s anticipated decision was derided by the good government group Reinvent Albany and even the lefty civic group Citizens Union.

Denying Blakeman’s application – which could cost him a combined $7 million in funds – risks undermining the public’s trust, Citizens Union Executive Director Grace Rauh.

“While the Board must guard against fraud and misuse of public funds, the Blakeman matter is not based on such conduct,” she said in a statement.

“Instead he is at risk of being denied public funds because of a filing deficiency that appears to result from confusion, administrative error, or campaign missteps compounded by unclear guidance from Board staff and a recently-approved emergency rule.”

Blakeman’s campaign has already signaled he’ll sue the state over the decision.