Independent spending by committees not controlled by any campaign. Where a committee’s funders or totals are not disclosed, the figure reads Undisclosed.
Citizens for Affordable Rates
Independent expenditure
Funded by: Uber (sole funder). Pro-Hochul IE funded entirely by Uber; ~$12M spent. Tied to Hochul advancing car-insurance reforms in the budget that save Uber money.
Save Our State (2022 precedent)
Super PAC
Funded by: Major funder: Ronald Lauder (~$10M across pro-Zeldin groups). 2022 context: pro-Zeldin super PACs spent $7M+ and $12M+. Lauder paid most of a record ~$900K settlement after the state found "substantial evidence" of unlawful coordination. Same treasurer (Graham) now backs Blakeman.
Funded by: James Dolan-linked: MSG Entertainment $350K + MSG Sports $350K (Jul 2026), per campaign finance records; Coalition to Restore New York (Dolan-created, $2M from MSG) transferred $300K. ~$1M in identified receipts; full donor roster and totals still unreported.. Second pro-Blakeman super PAC to surface (after Make it Cheaper). First public activity: commissioned the Red Oak Strategic poll (Jul 7-12) released via NY Post on Jul 28, 2026. Aug 4 update: MSG Entertainment/MSG Sports contributions ($350K each) plus $300K Coalition to Restore New York transfer surfaced in campaign finance records — first identified funders. Amount reflects known receipts only, not total raised. Sept 11 update: Capitol Pressroom (WCNY) podcast with PAC spokesman Chapin Fay — committee now branded "Strong & Safe New York," running billboards; no new donors or totals disclosed (https://capitolpressroom.org/2026/09/11/super-pac-to-the-rescue/).
Funded by: Donors not yet disclosed (no report filed as of June 30, 2026). Pro-Blakeman super PAC formed June 5, 2026. Treasurer Kristofer Graham (ran the pro-Zeldin "Save Our State" PAC in 2022); consultant Chris Grant. Funders undisclosed so far.
Anti-tax business group (501c4)
501(c)(4)
Funded by: Donors shielded by 501(c)(4) status. NY Focus (Apr 1, 2026) reported a business group fighting state tax hikes that shields its political donors. Donors are undisclosed by design.
Defend Empire State
Super PAC
Supports Bruce BlakemanundisclosedDark moneyvinnews.com Funded by: No contributions reported as of Aug 25, 2026. Founder Jason Meister previously ran the Defend NYC PAC in the 2025 NYC mayoral race, which reported $1M each from Bill Ackman and Joseph Gebbia — those are 2025 Defend NYC figures, not Defend Empire State donors.. Third pro-Blakeman outside group to surface, after Make it Cheaper (Jun 5) and Strong and Safe (Jul). Registered with the NYS Board of Elections by Jason Meister, a risk-insurance executive on a Trump advisory board, and reported Aug 24, 2026. Meister told the New York Post he will raise millions to defeat Hochul, framing the race around her ties to Mayor Mamdani. As an independent-expenditure super PAC it can take unlimited donations; no amounts raised or spent have been reported. Amount left null on purpose — "millions" is a stated intention, not a filed figure. Next disclosure trigger: the Oct 4 24-hour super PAC reporting window.