Republican state Senate candidate Jarrett Gandolfo is accusing his Democratic opponent of improperly using public campaign funds to promote candidates across the party’s ticket.
Gandolfo, an Assemblyman representing Suffolk County, alleges that Democrat Josh Taveras sent mailers to voters in the 8th Senate District urging them to “vote the whole ticket.” The Republican claims the mailers violated rules governing New York’s public campaign-finance matching program, which provides candidates with public funds for qualifying donations of less than $200.
The mailer tells voters, “Start at the top. Don’t stop until you reach the bottom,” before naming Democratic 2nd Congressional District candidate Pat Halpin, Taveras and Democratic candidates for county comptroller and clerk.
It also urges voters to “Vote Democratic, all the way down” while attacking “MAGA Washington.”
According to state Board of Elections records, Taveras has received more than $127,000 in public matching funds.
New York’s campaign-finance matching program bars candidates from using public funds to support other candidates. Gandolfo argues that Taveras’ mailer crossed that line by promoting multiple Democrats on the ballot.
“They have blatantly violated New York State Election Law. It makes me question if his candidacy is serious, or if it exists solely to funnel money to other candidates,” Gandolfo told The Post.
“It’s corruption of the Public Campaign Finance system and it demands immediate investigation and accountability for all involved,” he added.
The mailer could also raise questions about restrictions on how much local candidates may spend to support candidates running for federal office.
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Anthony Pileggi, a senior campaign consultant to 2nd District Rep. Andrew Garbarino, a Republican whose Democratic opponent is featured in the mailer, urged the Federal Election Commission to investigate.
“This is a blatant disregard for federal election law and exactly the kind of political corruption Long Islanders are tired of,” a representative for Garbarino said.
“The FEC should investigate this matter and hold those responsible accountable,” he added.
Kelly Perry, Taveras’ campaign treasurer, said the campaign stands by “every word of this mailer.”
“Before printing literature featuring the Democratic slate in our district, our campaign consulted with the New York State Public Campaign Finance Board (PCFB) and they confirmed it was acceptable,” Perry said.
“Every claim is sourced, and every quote is their own. Clearly our opponents are uncomfortable seeing their record in print,” she added.
Gandolfo was first elected to the state Assembly in 2020 after previously serving as Garbarino’s chief of staff.
The 8th District is currently represented by Republican state Sen. Alexis Weik, who opted not to run for reelection this year. Weik won 67% of the vote in 2024 and 69% in 2022.
