New York Note: Mamdani Leads Fundraising, Hochul Announces Drop in Gun Violence, Staten Island Q-Team Expansion, Waymo AV Testing Approved

August 25, 2025

Mamdani Leads Mayoral Fundraising, Outpacing Rivals

Fueled by more than 8,000 individual contributions, Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani raised just over $1 million between July 12 and August 18, surpassing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $507,000, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams’ $425,000 for his independent reelection bid, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa’s $407,000. Mamdani now holds $4.4 million in cash on hand and expects to qualify for more than $2 million in public matching funds. Cuomo reports $1.2 million available and hopes to secure an additional $525,000 in matching funds, while Adams has $3.9 million but remains ineligible for public matching funds due to an ongoing Campaign Finance Board investigation. Mamdani has also benefited from the support of the pro-Mamdani super PAC New Yorkers for Lower Costs, which received a $250,000 donation from philanthropist Elizabeth Simons, while the pro-Cuomo PAC Fix the City has drawn $200,000 in contributions from billionaire Alice Walton.

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Governor Hochul Announces Major Decline in Gun Violence Statewide

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a 14 percent drop in shooting incidents with injury in communities participating in the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative during the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Newly released data from the Division of Criminal Justice Services also shows a 21 percent decrease in shooting deaths statewide. Albany (down 53%), Buffalo (down 25%), Syracuse (down 10%), and Rochester (down 8%) led the reductions, while New York City reported a nearly 20 percent decline in shootings, from 572 to 459, and a 19 percent decrease in shooting victims, from 700 to 564. Hochul attributed the progress to record state investments, with the FY26 Enacted Budget maintaining $347 million in funding for gun violence prevention programs, including $36 million for GIVE, alongside additional public safety initiatives.

NYPD Expands Quality of Life “Q-Teams” to Staten Island

Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the expansion of the NYPD’s Quality of Life Division “Q-Teams” across Staten Island, completing the rollout to all five boroughs. Q-Teams address daily quality-of-life issues, including illegal mopeds, abandoned vehicles, encampments, outdoor drug use, and noise complaints. Since launching in April, the teams have responded to over 41,000 911 and 311 calls, reduced non-emergency response times by an average of 50 minutes citywide, towed 710 vehicles, and seized 322 illegal e-bikes, scooters, and mopeds. The NYPD plans to extend Q-Teams to all housing commands later this month.

NYC Approves First Permit to Test Autonomous Vehicles

Mayor Eric Adams and NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced that Waymo has received the city’s first permit to begin testing autonomous vehicles in parts of Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn. The pilot program will operate under the nation’s strictest safety regulations, requiring a trained specialist behind the wheel at all times and close coordination with DOT through regular meetings and data reporting. Up to eight vehicles will be tested through September 2025, with the potential for an extension. The approval applies only to testing, as the use of autonomous vehicles for for-hire services remains prohibited under NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission rules.

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