New York GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman was denied millions in matching campaign funds on Tuesday due to a paperwork technicality enforced by Democrats on a significant state board.
A party-line vote of 4-3 by the Public Campaign Finance Board resulted in Blakeman’s disqualification from the state’s campaign finance program, providing Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, who already leads Blakeman by $20 million in campaign funds, an additional advantage in the upcoming November election.
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The board’s decision against Blakeman was due to his running mate, Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood, not submitting the newly required paperwork for matching funds.
Republicans on the board criticized the Democrats for engaging in what they saw as trivial politics before the vote.
“Playing gotcha politics with this is frankly disgraceful,” said Republican Public Campaign Finance Board Commissioner Brian Kolb, a former Assembly minority leader.
The decision by the board was criticized by good governance group Reinvent Albany and the civic organization Citizens Union.
According to Citizens Union Executive Director Grace Rauh, denying Blakeman’s application, which could cost him $7 million, risks damaging public trust.
“While the Board must guard against fraud and misuse of public funds, the Blakeman matter is not based on such conduct,” she stated.
“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 indicated they plan to sue the state over this decision.
