Foreign donations have become a point of scrutiny in Zohran Mamdani’s bid for New York City mayor. Records from the Campaign Finance Board show his campaign received nearly $13,000 from contributors outside the United States. Under city and federal rules, only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are allowed to make campaign contributions.
Among roughly 54,000 contributions, at least 170 originated overseas. Of these, 88 donations totaling $7,190 have not been returned, despite the campaign promising compliance with finance regulations. Mamdani’s fundraising efforts have brought in $4 million in private donations, $12.7 million in public matching funds, and nearly $6.1 million on hand as Election Day approaches.
The campaign confirmed that any noncompliant contributions would be returned but offered no explanation for why dozens remain in the account, including a $500 donation from Bariah Dardari, Mamdani’s mother‑in‑law, who was living in Dubai at the time.
Contributors living abroad spanned multiple professions, including university professors, doctors, software developers, and retirees. Individual donations ranged from $1 to $2,100, with significant contributions from environmental scientist James Furlaud in Tasmania and Dubai-based investor Ada Diaz Ahmed. Other donors came from Canada and Germany.
Much of Mamdani’s support comes from outside the city. In the weeks before the Democratic primary, he raised $1.05 million—more than double the $507,000. The Campaign Finance Board declined to comment, noting ongoing audits of citywide campaigns.
