Jay Jacobs donates to Assembly Member Taylor Darling’s primary opponent

The head of the state Democratic Party isn’t weighing in on Democratic primaries in his official capacity – but that hasn’t stopped him from donating to primary candidates he supports.

Jay Jacobs, the chair of the state Democratic Party, donated $5,000 – the maximum possible amount – to Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe, who is running against Assembly Member Taylor Darling in the Democratic primary for the 6th state Senate District on Long Island. Jacobs, who also leads the Nassau County Democrats, has not announced any endorsements in the race, nor have either party organizations he leads. “I made a personal contribution with my personal funds,” he told City & State in a text message .

Bynoe and Darling are competing to replace state Sen. Kevin Thomas, who announced he would not run for reelection after dropping his bid for Congress. The competitive primary has seen high-dollar fundraising, as both candidates have benefited from the state’s new public campaign finance system. Bynoe has nearly maxed out the public funds, and Darling has received significant state dollars as well. 

“We are here to elect Democrats to office up and down the ballot,” Darling said in a statement about Jacobs' contribution to Bynoe. “I am the best candidate for the job for SD6 and that is my focus. I am grateful for the almost 800 contributions I have received with more than 400 being from local donors that can vote in this election.”

A spokesperson for Bynoe’s campaign did not directly address Jacobs’ donation. “Siela Bynoe has already made history as the first candidate to hit the maximum matching funds making her campaign the most people-funded, people-powered campaign in New York state,” campaign spokesperson David Chauvin said. “No doubt that inspires countless Democrats to be part of this history-making moment.” 

According to public disbursement records, Bynoe is about $3,000 shy of receiving maximum matching funds. Assembly candidate Micah Lasher was the first legislative candidate to max out, but state Senate candidates qualify for $200,000 more than their lower chamber counterparts.

Jacobs is known for privately trying to discourage Democratic primaries as a means of promoting unity within the party, even if he is not publicly weighing in. “I can't certainly force anybody not to primary. But I can have those conversations to encourage people to take a close look at whether or not there's a good chance,” Jacobs told City & State earlier this year. “Because realize, when you do a primary, you're going to use up resources that you won't have later.” He has often been critical of the left wing of the party as well.

This is not the only time that Jacobs has weighed in on Democratic primaries this cycle in some form. He offered his endorsement of Kim Keiserman for another Long Island state Senate race as she runs against a Working Families Party-backed candidate. The winner of that primary in the 7th State Senate District will take on Republican state Sen. Jack Martins.

Federal campaign finance records show that Jacobs leader has also donated to a number of candidates running in Democratic congressional primaries, sending $3,300 each to the primary campaigns of Westchester County Executive George Latimer (who’s hoping to unseat Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the 16th Congressional District), former CNN commentator John Avlon (who is running in the 1st Congressional District) and state Sen. John Mannion (who is running in the 22nd Congressional District).