Lander Leads Fundraising In 2021 Comptroller Run With $360,532

PARK SLOPE—Council Member Brad Lander, who is running for comptroller, brought in $360,532 over the last six months, out-raising all of the other candidates running for the citywide position.

The latest campaign finance filings, submitted Monday, show he has raised the cash from 1,327 donors. His average donation is $244, according to the Campaign Finance Board records. According to Lander’s campaign, he has raised more than four times more money than his main opponent, Council Member Helen Rosenthal, who represents Manhattan’s the Upper West Side.

Two years ahead of the 2021 Democratic primary that will likely decide who succeeds Comptroller Scott Stringer, Lander has an estimated balance of $209,974 while Rosenthal has $66,777 in the bank.

Lander’s campaign says that about 87% of contributions were below $250. The Council member has is also raising money from more than 100 people who give small, monthly donations.

With $136,936 worth of contributions eligible for matching dollars under the city’s campaign finance program, the third-term Council member is set to receive $1.1 million in public matching funds. That brings the total amount raised so far this year to $1.45 million.

Lander, in a prepared statement, said his campaign is “building a grassroots base across the city that shares our vision of a city where everyone has a right to an affordable home, good, diverse schools, retirement security, and a sustainable future.”

“I am grateful for the support of the thousands of people who are joining our campaign to make this vision a reality,” Lander, who represents Park Slope, Gowanus, and other neighboring areas, went on.

In addition, he noted that none of the money he’s raised has been from real estate developers nor lobbyists, corporate PACS or the finance industry.

“We saw this summer, with the passage of historic regulations to protect tenants statewide, what a difference it made to elect legislators who would stand up to the real estate industry,” Lander said, adding that the Gowanus rezoning that he has spearheaded will pave the way for “responsible, inclusive, sustainable growth.”

“There are plenty of good reasons people are skeptical about development,” he added. “But campaign contributions to me won’t be one of them.”