Zohran Mamdani’s New York City mayoral campaign has come under scrutiny after collecting nearly $13,000 from foreign donors, including his mother-in-law in Dubai, raising compliance questions. A review of New York City Campaign Finance records shows that at least 170 of the nearly 54,000 contributions to the Mamdani campaign may violate U.S. campaign finance laws, as only U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents are permitted to contribute to American political campaigns. Candidates are expected to return illegal donations. As of Tuesday, records reveal that 91 of the foreign donations have been refunded, with $5,723.50 of the $7,190 returned to foreign donors. A review of the donors indicates that Mamdani’s mother-in-law in Dubai, Bariah Dardari, donated $500 in January, and her donation was refunded four days later. Overall, records show that Mamdani brought in at least $4 million in private donations and $12.7 million in public matching funds, with $6.1 million in cash on hand. There are at least 79 outstanding foreign donations that have not been returned by the Mamdani campaign as of Tuesday evening. The campaign told The New York Post that they would return any non-compliant donations, but did not respond to Fox News’ comment request. More than half of the $1 million that Mamdani’s campaign raised in July and August came from outside New York State, according to data from the New York City Campaign Finance Board. With Mayor Eric Adams having suspended his re-election campaign last month, New Yorkers will elect a new mayor on November 4. Mamdani is now the frontrunner, ahead of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an Independent, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
The incident has raised broader concerns about campaign transparency and the adherence to campaign finance rules in New York City, particularly given the significant amount of funds raised through foreign contributions. While the campaign has pledged to return non-compliant donations, the ongoing nature of this issue underscores the complexities in ensuring political funding compliance. Additionally, the involvement of foreign donors like Bariah Dardari highlights the potential for international influence in local elections. The fact that Dardari is a physician in Dubai further illustrates the diverse backgrounds of those contributing to the campaign. The current political landscape is dominated by Mamdani as the frontrunner, but the scrutiny over his fundraising practices could impact his standing with voters, particularly in a context where transparency and compliance are critical. The broader implications extend beyond Mamdani’s candidacy, as they reflect ongoing challenges in regulating campaign finance in a democratic system. As the election approaches, the pressure on candidates to maintain integrity and compliance with campaign finance laws is expected to intensify. The situation also adds a layer of complexity to the already contentious mayoral race, with the potential for public scrutiny and media coverage intensifying as the November 4 election nears.
Public interest in the campaign’s compliance with campaign finance laws has grown, particularly with the involvement of foreign donors such as Bariah Dardari, who contributed to the campaign. The campaign’s decision to refund some donations, while leaving others outstanding, has raised questions about their commitment to following the law. The Mamdani campaign’s response to these allegations and their actions regarding the remaining foreign contributions will be crucial in determining their credibility and public perception. As the mayoral race progresses, the focus on campaign finance compliance is likely to remain a central issue, especially with the upcoming election. The broader implications of this case extend beyond the immediate controversy, as they highlight the potential for foreign influence in local political processes and the need for stringent monitoring of campaign finance activities. For the candidates, the challenge is not only to raise funds but also to ensure that all contributions are legally compliant, which is essential for maintaining public trust and transparency in the electoral process. The ongoing scrutiny and the potential for legal consequences for non-compliance underscore the importance of adhering to campaign finance regulations, both for individual candidates and the broader political landscape in New York City.