According to Politico, online meal delivery service DoorDash just made the highest gift in the race, contributing $1 million to the super PAC supporting Democrat Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral campaign in New York City.
It comes after the company’s lobbying effort last year, when it revealed that it had spent about $500,000 meeting with politicians and City Hall representatives on a measure that would allow delivery platforms to charge eateries more, among other things.
With the seven-figure gift, Fix the City, a pro-Cuomo organization, will have additional resources to back the front-runner before the Democratic primary on June 24, which he is predicted to win by a wide margin. On Monday, the gift will be part of the super PAC’s weekly filing.
Is DoorDash trying to influence New York policy?
DoorDash has used a number of organizations, including Actum, which employs former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., a member of the Fix the City board and one of Cuomo’s early endorsers, in addition to paying its own employees to lobby. Although Diaz’s lobbying filings from his job at Actum are mentioned on DoorDash, he and Actum Partner Michael McKeon stated that the former legislator has never worked for the delivery service.
State and local authorities control DoorDash on matters such as minimum wage regulations and employee tips. The business has previously hinted that it will support “pro-local economy” politicians in the state-level New Jersey elections and the New York City elections this year.
“In recent years we’ve seen a wave of policies emerge from New York City that, while well-intentioned, have often had unintended consequences,”
said John Horton, the company’s North American public policy leader in a statement.
“These policies have made it harder for local businesses, Dashers, and consumers to thrive. We’re committed to supporting leaders who prioritize practical, pro-local economy solutions that encourage growth and innovation. In New York’s mayoral race, we believe Governor Cuomo represents the kind of leadership that can deliver on those goals.”
Since its founding in March, Fix the City has received over $8 million, with the majority of that amount coming from pro-Trump individuals and real estate entrepreneurs, such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The organization has also spent over $3 million. Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant, is in charge of the organization.
“We continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo’s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,”
super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.
Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo’s opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani’s campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.
Following Cuomo’s campaign’s use of a legal tactic known as “redboxing” to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo’s campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.
