As NYC City Council members work to provide job protections and paid sick leave for food delivery workers, major companies like Uber and DoorDash are investing heavily in the upcoming Democratic primary, targeting incumbents, hoping to replace some, and backing candidates in open seats.
This influx of corporate funding comes on the heels of a groundbreaking minimum pay rate for food delivery workers that mirrors existing laws for ride-hail drivers.
These laws, which have successfully weathered legal challenges from both companies, have strengthened the resolve of City Council members to pursue additional protections for gig workers.
Among those benefiting from the independent political spending is Maya Kornberg, currently campaigning to unseat incumbent Brooklyn Councilmember Shahana Hanif, a key advocate for expanding paid sick leave to include gig economy workers.
Hanif has also co-sponsored legislation designed to limit the conditions under which gig workers can be deactivated from their platforms, an issue of significant concern for many delivery workers.
In the latest round of political spending, Uber’s New York PAC has disclosed over $100,000 allocated to digital ads and mailers supporting Kornberg’s campaign.
This is part of a broader strategy where the PAC has committed a total of $1.3 million to influence races in 11 different Council districts.
Kornberg, who specializes in disinformation and the impact of money in politics, has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
Simultaneously, DoorDash has initiated an independent spending group dubbed Local Economies Forward NY, intending to spend up to $2 million to sway Council races in the run-up to the June 24 elections.
Other candidates receiving support from Uber’s political spending include Brooklyn’s Mercedes Narcisse and Darlene Mealy, Manhattan’s Carmen De La Rosa and Julie Menin, and Eric Dinowitz from The Bronx.
Uber Senior Director of Public Policy Josh Gold justified the company’s political spending, stating, “Politicians have allowed costs to skyrocket for drivers while making it harder for them to earn a living.
We are supporting candidates who foster policies that improve affordability and access to transportation.”
In stark contrast, Shahana Hanif accused Uber of
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