State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has moved against a lawsuit by Republican mayoral candidate George McDonald challenging the city’s campaign-finance law.
McDonald has already taken individual contributions above the maximum $4,950 set by the city.
But because he hasn’t signed up to receive public matching funds, McDonald argues he should be allowed to accept as much as $19,700 in the primary and $41,100 in the general election from individuals, the limits under state election law.
A state Supreme Court hearing is scheduled today.
In an amicus brief, Schneiderman said the state Legislature didn’t preclude “a locality that commits its own funds to support political campaigns from enacting lower contribution limits.”
But McDonald told The Post, “I’m planning on financing my campaign exactly as the attorney general does now [under state law]. It hasn’t seemed to invite corruption as far as he’s concerned. It certainly won’t for me.”