Incumbent dominates fundraising in this Staten Island Council race, but most dollars from out of district

STATETEN ISLAND Despite having three main opponents, N.Y. Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks (D-North Shore) is going to have a difficult time winning if the results of their early fundraising efforts are any guide.

Hanks raised $77,440 until January 11th, according to the most recent 2025 election fundraising figures given by the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) on January 15.

With those figures, Hanks would be a major force in fundraising in all 51 of the city’s City Council districts, but especially on Staten Island.

According to CFB, she raised a total of $55,268 more than her three Democratic primary rivals, Jozette Carter-Williams, Abou Diakhate, and Sarah Blas. Diakhate was the closest fundraiser, raising $7,840.

According to Hanks, the campaign had received 284 donations in all, which came close to $90,000.

Another incumbent from Staten Island, Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island/South Brooklyn), does not yet have a primary opponent. According to CFB statistics, he had raised $32,997 as of January 11.

Councilwoman Shahana Hanif (D-Brooklyn) has raised $68,478 while her leading rival, Maya Kornberg, has raised $62,821, despite the fact that this year’s Council primary are among the most contested.

The fact that donations from outside of Hanks’ constituency are so common is among the most intriguing aspects of her extensive fundraising efforts.

Hanks has received $63,790 from 153 donations outside the Council district, out of the $77,440 raised from 262 gifts that are mentioned on the CFB website. 71 gifts from outside of Staten Island have raised a total of $32,490.

According to Hanks, a large portion of the donors from outside the area are North Shore company owners.

She remarked, “I am thrilled to provide an update on the progress of our campaign, which reflects the amazing support we have received from our community and beyond.” Many of the contributors who made contributions from outside the district have a stake in our success since they own businesses on the North Shore. We are eligible for matching funds from the City of New York because of this information. As evidence of the fantastic work we have already done and our common belief in our future vision, we have collectively raised about $90,000 to date. Having so many supporters in my district, throughout Staten Island, and around the city makes me proud.

A significant amount of a candidate’s money comes from sources completely outside the city, according to Ben Weinberg, director of public policy at Citizens Union, a non-profit organization dedicated to government integrity.

Indeed, according to a CFB study on campaign finance for the 2021 election, roughly one-third of all campaign donations originated from sources completely outside the city.

In the same year, Hanks defeated a sizable field of Democratic primary candidates to win her first election and then the general election.

Although she raised just over $100,000 that year, over 40% of the donations came from sources outside of the island.

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