Andrew Cuomo Raised More Than $16 Million for N.Y. Race

Cuomo’s treasury already totals more than five times the $3 million banked by Governor David Paterson. Cuomo associates say he intends to challenge Paterson in a Sept. 14 Democratic primary election.

The Cuomo supporter, who requested anonymity, said that fundraisers asked some donors to defer contributions to help create momentum as the primary approaches and that others preferred to pay in installments. Some strategists didn’t want the campaign to appear too confident, the person said.

“There’s two measures at this point, the polls and the money, and now Cuomo can say, ‘Not only do I have strong poll numbers, but I’m going to outspend you,’” said Doug Muzzio, professor of urban politics at Baruch College in Manhattan.

In October, Cuomo met at the Beacon restaurant in Manhattan with about 20 supporters and spoke with some about his intention to announce his gubernatorial candidacy by the end of March, according to a person who attended. Campaign officials at the time said they had already secured a total of $16 million in cash and pledges and had set a goal of raising $20 million by Jan. 15, the person said.