The city’s Campaign Finance Board announced on Tuesday that Khari Edwards’ campaign for Brooklyn Borough President received $491,182 in public matching funds.
The amount Edwards received was greater than the amount received by Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon ($481,224) and Councilmember Antonio Reynoso ($462,880).
Edwards said he was the only non-elected official in the race to qualify for matching funds.
Over 800 contributions totaling $144,942 were reported by the campaign.
“I am proud of the unprecedented level of grassroots support our campaign has built across Brooklyn, and I know that our momentum, which easily rivals that of the politicians in this race, will only continue to grow stronger,” said Edwards.
His recent endorsements include: Assemblymember Nick Perry; Councilmember Alicka Ampry-Samuel; former Brookdale Hospital president and chief executive officer Mark Toney; famed educator Dr. Nadia Lopez; and Sheepshead Bay Houses Tenant Association president Barbara McFadden.
Edwards is an experienced leader in healthcare and government, most recently serving for eight years as the vice president of external affairs at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center. Edwards made history as the hospital’s first vice president of color.
During his tenure, Edwards said he “crafted and executed” a strategic plan to build community trust with the 1.3 million Brooklynites who live in neighborhoods serviced by the hospital.
Edwards said he also credited with spearheading a new initiative to increase census engagement in Central and North Brooklyn; creating the “It Starts Here” program, which connected over 2200 students with victims of gun violence; and organizing 250 union members, healthcare professionals, elected officials, and community stakeholders to address health, housing and employment disparities in East Brooklyn.
Edwards said he has worked for several elected officials, non-profit organizations and city agencies focusing on strengthening communities and connecting Brooklynites to vital social services.
During his time with the State Legislature, Edwards said he worked with every hospital in Brooklyn to address healthcare inequities and potential hospital closures.
As the Brooklyn Council president for Make-A-Wish New York, Edwards said he led a two-year campaign to enlist volunteers to enroll over 400 wish granters for children in Brooklyn.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Edwards is the son of immigrant parents from Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.
