In a sharp turn ahead of NYC’s mayoral primary, landlord groups have mobilized behind Andrew Cuomo with record-breaking financial support aimed at stopping rent freezes. The New York Apartment Association, a newly formed landlord lobbying group, has committed $2.5 million to Cuomo’s campaign while also backing City Council candidates aligned with real estate interests. At the center of their push is Cuomo’s firm opposition to freezing rents on over one million stabilized units, a direct contrast to rival Zohran Mamdani’s vow to halt rent hikes every year he’s in office.
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$2.5M Boost from Landlords
The New York Apartment Association (NYAA) has pledged a staggering $2.5 million to support Andrew Cuomo’s bid for mayor. This donation funneled through its “Housing for All” super PAC marks the largest single outside spend in the 2025 race. The funds will power a multilingual blitz of pro-Cuomo ads on TV, radio, and digital platforms, aiming to influence voters before early voting begins on June 14.
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Cuomo Draws Support from Real Estate Heavyweights
Cuomo is now the clear favorite of New York’s real estate industry. NYAA CEO Kenny Burgos praised his housing plan and warned that Mamdani’s rent freeze proposal would devastate already distressed rent-stabilized buildings. NYAA has also invested in council races to further its policy influence.
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Mamdani Condemns Landlord-Backed Spending
Zohran Mamdani, Cuomo’s top challenger, held a press conference outside NYAA’s office to denounce the donation. “This is exactly why I’ve pledged to freeze rents,” he said. Mamdani claims the flood of landlord money is proof his policies are aligned with tenant needs, not special interests.
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Competing Visions for New York Housing
Cuomo proposes building or preserving 500,000 housing units by upzoning transit-heavy areas. Mamdani’s plan calls for 200,000 units of social housing built with union labor. NYAA argues that Mamdani’s approach is unrealistic and would worsen housing shortages, while Cuomo’s is better aligned with market demands.
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Rent Freeze at the Center of the Debate
At the heart of this fight is whether New York should freeze rents on its one million regulated apartments. Mamdani promises annual freezes throughout his term, while Cuomo opposes it. He says landlords must be allowed to adjust rents in line with rising maintenance costs.
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Real Estate’s Financial Commitment
The NYAA’s contribution is only part of the pro-Cuomo spending. The Fix the City PAC, aligned with Cuomo allies, has raised nearly $12 million, much of it from real estate donors. Backers include DoorDash, billionaire Ken Langone, and former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin.
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Cuomo Distances Himself from Donor Influence
Cuomo’s campaign insists contributors do not influence him. “I work for the people of the city of New York,” Cuomo said during a recent debate. His campaign stated it was unaware of the NYAA spending and defended his housing policy as data-driven, not donor-driven.
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