A candidate who has never run for public office before — but has close ties to the Clinton and Obama administrations — has suddenly become a top contender in the race for New York City public advocate.

Dawn Smalls, a former aide to Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, has qualified to receive $574,636 in matching funds.

She was one of only three candidates in the 17-person field to make the cut for the first round of public financing.

Smalls, 41, is little known to New York City voters.

But thanks to her network of donors, she pulled in donations from more than 800 city residents.

The other two candidates who qualified for matching funds were Bronx Assemblyman Michael Blake, who received $716,133 in matching funds, and Brooklyn City Councilman Jumaane Williams, who collected $690,194.

To be eligible for public funds, a candidate must receive 500 donations from city residents of at least $10.

Smalls’ campaign filing shows that lawyers were among her biggest supporters.

She took in more than 100 donations from employees at her old law firm, Boies, Schiller — ranging from rank-and-file lawyers to top partners and family members, records show.

In a press release, Smalls’ campaign claims she is an “outsider to the local political machine” and has “managed to meet campaign milestones ahead of many established elected officials.”

“Thanks to everyday New Yorkers who made small donations to my campaign, we are now able to compete with candidates who are counting on their name recognition and funds they’ve transferred from other accounts to carry them to victory,” she said.

Other candidates still have time to qualify for matching funds before the Feb. 26 special election.