Harlem grassroots candidates compete against establishment-backed opponents in City Council race

Funding often determines who is projected to win New York City elections, leaving grassroots campaigns powered by small-dollar donations facing an uphill battle.

Edafe Okporo and Nicholas Reyes, activists-turned-candidates running for City Council Districts 7 and 8, respectively, lack the institutional support enjoyed by their opponents. 

In District 7, incumbent Councilman Shaun Abreu holds a big advantage over his challengers like Tiffany Khan and Okporo. Abreu represents several neighborhoods, including Hamilton Heights, Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, Manhattan Valley, and parts of Washington Heights and the Upper West Side.

According to the most recent filing with the New York City Campaign Board, dated January 15, 2025, Abreu has raised a total of $101,495 from 478 private donations and received an additional $174,562 in public funds, amounting to a total of $276,057. The incumbent has an average donation amount of $191, with contributions ranging from $200 to $1,050.

Notably, Abreu has connections with the Zabar family of the Zabar’s Deli on 2245 Broadway with its founder, CEO, general manager, and senior executives donating large sums to Abreu. 

His mother, Agnes, is a bookkeeper at Zabar’s, while his relative, Jason Abreu, who donated $175, is the business development manager at the renowned Jewish deli, which has been in operation for nearly a century. 

Abreu asserts himself as a grassroots candidate due to his humble beginnings in Washington Heights and his journey as a landlord-tenant lawyer and activist. These experiences, along with growing up and residing in the Upper West Side for over 20 years, reflect a strong connection to the community, despite receiving support from prominent institutions.

As chair of the Sanitation Committee, he leads containerization efforts and advocates for worker rights, including better payment options and tip access.

Dating back to his 2021 campaign, Abreu’s advocacy for bolstering the restaurant and nightlife industry, particularly during COVID-19, has earned him support from Zabar’s and Melba’s Restaurant.

“To have the support from the Zabar’s and from Melba, I think it’s a sign that I have the support of a lot of small businesses in our community, many of which employ a lot of members in my district. They are part of the economic development and the economic development infrastructure for our community,” Abreu said.

Khan has raised $2,123 from 37 donors, and Okporo’s campaign funds overall pale in comparison to Abreu’s campaign. 

The latest filing indicates that Okporo has raised $35,861 from 526 private backers, each contributing an average of $68, along with $117,055 in public funds. The city’s matching system has played a crucial role in maintaining Okporo’s competitiveness. Nevertheless, with a total amount of $152,916, Abreu is approaching a 2:1 ratio.

“Even though the campaign is just getting started, in our last filing, we were among the few candidates in the city who qualified for public matching funds,” Okporo said. “To qualify, a campaign needs 75 in-district donors—we surpassed that with 150+. Overall, we had 370+ unique contributors at the time of the last filing, and in our most recent filing, we’ve grown to 620+ unique contributors. We have the most important backing: the people.”

“I’m connecting with people where they are—at community events, neighborhood gatherings, and online. By sharing my story and vision, I’m inspiring individuals to contribute what they can. Every donation is a testament to our collective commitment to a better future,” Okporo said.

Okporo, a market researcher at Ipsos Insight and a gay Nigerian refugee in New York City, relies on his supporters—artists, teachers, and social workers—who share his vision.

“Instead of challenges, I see opportunities to innovate. While others rely on established networks, we’re building a movement from the ground up. Every small-dollar contribution we receive shows that people believe in our vision and want to be part of this change,” Okporo said.

A closer look at Abreu’s contributions reveals that his donors include prominent attorneys, executives, lobbyists, political organizations, and unions.

However, Abreu explained that large contributions to his campaign are subject to a spending ceiling, necessitating that individual donations maintain a level of moderation to secure matching public funds. Furthermore, he highlighted that his financial support predominantly originates from local constituents within the city he represents, contrasting with his opponent’s donor base.

In District 8, Reyes faces a similar challenge with the chief of staff to term-limited Councilwoman Diana Ayala, Elsie R. Encarnacion.

Reyes believes his main opponent is being handed a city role rather than working for it as Encarnacion was endorsed by her soon-to-be former boss as her successor.

Encarnacion takes the lead in a competitive race that makes up East Harlem and South Bronx, raising $35,118 from 305 donors, averaging $115 per donor. With her public funds being $94,453, she totals an estimated balance of $122,612.

Among her top donors are Councilmember Rafael Salamanca of District 17 in the South Bronx, who also serves as chair of the Land Use Committee, and Oren Evenhar of Evenhar Development Corporation, the president of a family-operated development company valued at nearly a billion dollars, with properties including the Lexington North and South. 

These contributions amounted to $1,050 and $1,000, respectively.

City Council Member Crystal Hudson, who chairs the Committee on Aging and co-chairs the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, represents District 35, which includes parts of central Brooklyn such as Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill, and Fort Greene. She gave Encarnacion $500 while leaving her occupational discretion blank.

David Nocenti, the former executive director of Union Settlement, a social service provider in East Harlem, and an attorney for the New York State Office of Court, also donated $500 to Encarnacion’s campaign. The director of Union Settlement, Michelle Cruz, pitched in $250.

“I am not the candidate favored by the local ‘political machine.’ Running with the ‘machine’s’ backing provides a pre-established fundraising network, eliminating the need to seek donors organically,” Reyes said. “It is almost as if they hold your hand through all the intricate parts of a campaign, not just fundraising.”  Reyes, who admits his campaign donations sit at $300, describes the struggle of managing a grassroots campaign. “We are up against opponents with seemingly unlimited resources and institutional support,” Reyes explained.

Despite the challenges of being the second-lowest candidate in terms of funds raised, Reyes takes pride in his grassroots approach, bringing authenticity, he says.

“As a grassroots campaign with a small team, I must divide my time among various responsibilities, including managing the petition process, attending community meetings, working my job, and door-knocking, among others,” Reyes said. “I thoroughly enjoy these activities and feel fortunate to be so closely involved in every aspect of my campaign.”

Amsterdam News has reached out to Abreu and Encarnacion for comment.