A mailer sent out this month to voters across New York City ahead of the primary election rails against “extreme agendas” and advocates for a “sensible majority to “beat back special interests pushing our politics toward extremes.” 

The fliers feature headlines about a man who allegedly had sex with a corpse on an R train and another about community opposition to residential towers in Lower Manhattan as signs of a failed system.

“ the majority of New Yorkers who agree on how to get our city back on the right direction,” it says. 

The mailer even features a shiny image labeled “NEW LAGUARDIA AIRPORT TERMINAL” — a project spearheaded by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running for mayor.

The front and back of a mailer sent to city voters. Credit: Obtained by THE CITY

But there’s no call to action to vote for — or against — any candidate. And there’s no information on who’s financially backing the mailing effort — so-called dark money that’s permitted when there’s no endorsement.

Since there isn’t any endorsement of any candidate in any race — and without any language like “vote for,” “,” vote against,” or “reject” — the organization is not required under election law to disclose its funders.

Restore Sanity NYC is ed with the IRS as a 501(c)(4) advocacy group, and states on the fliers that it is “an organization committed to ing policies for a safer, better-run and more affordable New York City.” 

Paperwork filed with the Department of State shows the address of its three board — Wayne Lair, a lobbyist at Statewide Public Affairs; Ebony Meeks-Laidley, a lobbyist and head of the Empire Consulting Group; and E. O’Brien Murray, a campaign strategist — as the office of political consulting firm Tusk Strategies.

Alex Sommer, managing director and senior counsel at Tusk Strategies, told THE CITY the firm is the “vendor for the independent, issues based 501(c)(4) Restore Our Sanity, which does not advocate on behalf of candidates for any office, including mayor.”

He declined to answer multiple questions about who is funding the initiative. 

Restore’s website features a letter from the board, sharing its vision.

“We are committed to advocating for policies that prioritize public safety, foster economic vitality, demand ability from our leaders, and bridge the divides holding our city back,” the letter states. “The challenges are immense, but the spirit of New York is resilient.”

The initiative is restricted from endorsing any candidate, which helps its funders remain a secret. But there are loose ties to former Cuomo’s campaign for mayor, where he’s leading the pack.

Chris Coffey, the CEO and partner of political consulting firm Tusk Strategies, is an “informal advisor” to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo as he runs for mayor. 

Shontell Smith, the partner and head of New York practice at Tusk is also currently the political director for the former governor’s campaign. 

A spokesman for Cuomo’s campaign, Rich Azzopardi, told THE CITY “we know nothing about this.”

Meeks-Laidley is the daughter of Queens Congressman Greg Meeks, the chairman of the county’s Democratic party, who has endorsed Cuomo’s mayoral run. She referred questions to Sommer, who noted “any member of the firm who communicates with any political campaign is subject to firewall restrictions that have been created and vetted by outside counsel.”

Laird and Murray did not respond to phone calls seeking comment. 

Katie is a reporter for THE CITY and co-host of FAQ NYC podcast.