Brooklyn BP Antonio Reynoso’s repeat challenger hasn’t slouched in fundraising

Democratic Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso is facing a rematch as he runs for a second term. Reynoso prevailed in a dozen-candidate 2021 Democratic primary to replace former Borough President Eric Adams, and one of his former rivals, Khari Edwards, is back and seriously fundraising.

Reynoso handily beat Edwards in 2021, when Edwards came in fifth in ranked-choice voting. This time around, Edwards, the head of corporate responsibility at Ayr Wellness, a cannabis dispensary company, has raised over $111,000.

Reynoso has raised over $209,000 in his campaign for reelection.

Edwards’ notable donors include executives at the public employees labor union District Council 37 (where his wife Jamilah Edwards works), Assembly Member Catalina Cruz and the PAC Striving for a Better New York. Striving for a Better New York was founded by pastor Al Cockfield – an ally of Mayor Eric Adams, who spoke at an early fundraiser for the PAC. The committee, which has come under scrutiny for payments to Cockfield, non-political spending and spending on out-of-state campaigns, was launched to support moderate candidates with views similar to Adams’. Asked about the PAC this week, Cockfield said that Adams has not been involved in any subsequent fundraisers. He confirmed that the PAC supports Edwards, however, calling him a “wonderful candidate” and praising him as a pro-business, pro-parent choice, pro-public safety and pro-Israel moderate Democrat. Cockfield founded Lamad Academy, a charter school in Brooklyn, and also runs Christian schools in Brooklyn and Queens.

There has been much speculation about Reynoso’s political future in the past year. Last summer, he met with progressives to discuss challenging Adams for mayor, and he was rumored to be considering a run for comptroller as well. He has since confirmed he’s sticking with the borough president’s office for now.

Edwards was the vice president of external affairs at Brookdale Hospital for eight years. A graduate of Midwood High School and parent of three children, he also serves on the Panel for Educational Policy.