Thompson Loses Out On Matching Campaign Funds

Despite a mad dash at the deadline to hit the minimum in donations necessary to receive public matching funds, City Controller Bill Thompson fell just short in the latest cycle and will lose out on $1.5 million in public funds. Thompson scrambled to to find donors on the final day of eligibility—including making a donation from himself to the campaign—in order to hit the necessary $250,000 needed in order to receive six-to-one matching funds. But after a few donations are expected to be disqualified by the Campaign Finance Board, Thompson will miss out. Mayor Bloomberg, of course, has opted out of matching funds and has already spent over $36 million on his re-election bid. Dick Dadey, of the good government group Citizens Union, told the News, "If he doesn't qualify for public matching funds, his campaign is in trouble.For a major candidate to not qualify one month out from the primary sends a disturbing signal about the strength of his candidacy." In the race for public advocate, frontrunner Mark Green was the only one of the four major candidates to miss out on matching funds this cycle. The next opportunity for matching funds is August 20.