NYC-CC39: 'Money vs. democracy': Hanif (D) and supporters accuse Uber of election interference

Rideshare drivers, delivery workers, labor activists and local Democrats rallied May 28 in Kensington with City Council Member Shahana Hanif, who accused Uber of interfering in the June 24 Democratic primary.

Campaign filings released May 28 show Uber has spent more than $129,000 on mail and digital ads backing Hanif’s opponent, local activist and NYU Brennan Center senior research fellow Maya Kornberg. The spending was funneled through Uber NY PAC, the company’s independent expenditure committee, which is not subject to candidate fundraising limits and cannot coordinate with campaigns. Uber also launched a website supporting Kornberg — a move not seen for any other city candidate this cycle.

Hanif, whose district includes parts of Kensington, Borough Park, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill and the Columbia Waterfront, and her supporters say Uber’s backing of her primary opponent is no coincidence.

Hanif is the lead author of Intro. 204, which would grant Uber drivers and delivery workers access to paid sick leave, and co-author of Intro. 276, which would provide Uber drivers with “just cause” protections against unfair deactivations if passed. She has earned endorsements from 12 unions and the AFL-CIO’s NYC Central Labor Council. Hanif also championed campaigns by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance and Los Deliveristas Unidos to secure a livable minimum wage and wage theft restitution for Uber workers.




https://www.brooklynpaper.com/hanif-uber-election-interference/