(ConservativeJournal.org) – Despite its goal of supporting candidates in New York, a political action committee (PAC) led by Al Cockfield, a close supporter of Mayor Eric Adams, has sent multiple donations outside of the state.
The PAC is called “Striving for a Better New York” and claims to help candidates that will focus on people living in New York. However, recent filings show that it has donated thousands to politicians in Kansas, Texas, and other states. All of this money has been donated to black politicians only.
After Adams won the mayoral primary in 2021, Cockfield founded the PAC and raised almost $1.3 million from a variety of supporters who were eager to back Adams. Despite spending so much, the PAC hasn’t raised funds since March 2022 and has been slowly depleting its resources.
Cockfield defended his actions, stating that he supports candidates both within and outside New York. He did not elaborate on his relationship with Adams or his PAC’s operations.
Board of Elections spokesperson Kathleen McGrath confirmed that New York PACs face no restrictions on out-of-state donations, and that any external payment is completely legal. Fundraising expert Darren Rigger noted that such donations are often strategic, aiming to influence broader political control. Experts assert that while Cockfield’s actions aren’t illegal, the PAC has allegedly been serving his personal interests more than his political aspirations.
Previously, Cockfield returned roughly $100,000 in contributions from unknown LLCs to the PAC and paid a $1,000 fine. It raised more red flags when, more recently, it paid $5,000 to DRX Consulting, a company without any online presence.
Despite out-of-state contributions, a lot of the PAC donations have also gone to New York politicians, such as Tish James and Greg Meeks.
While Adams initially helped fundraise for the PAC, his team has since distanced him from it.
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