Andrew Cuomo has replaced Eric Adams as the real estate industry’s favored mayoral candidate — at least for now.The ex-governor’s new $1.5 million fundraising disclosure — and an accompanying $1.2 million in new donations to the state-level super PAC supporting him — are dominated by industry names. Developer Scott Rechler, CEO of RXR, donated $250,000 to the pro-Cuomo super PAC and the maximum $2,100 to Cuomo’s campaign; A&E CEO Douglas Eisenberg contributed $125,000 to the PAC, and Lightstone Real Estate Partners gave $100,000.Developers, brokers and landlords had been hesitant to abandon Mayor Eric Adams, whose tenure in office has generally pleased the industry. But with Adams’ re-election in doubt and his fundraising collapsing, businesspeople are donating generously to Cuomo — as well as a few other mayoral candidates. That’s despite some initial wariness among some real estate leaders who view Cuomo as unpredictable and vindictive.
