Following New York City Lobbying Push, Doordash Spends $1m On Cuomo's Mayoral Bid

NEW YORK — Online food delivery firm DoorDash recently gave $1 million to the super PAC boosting Democrat Andrew Cuomo’s New York City mayoral bid — the single largest donation in the race.

It follows the company's lobbying push last year, when it reported spending nearly $500,000 getting an audience with City Hall officials and lawmakers on a bill to let delivery platforms charge restaurants higher fees, among other issues.

The seven-figure donation will give the pro-Cuomo group, Fix the City, more firepower to support the frontrunner ahead of the June 24 Democratic primary, which polls show he is heavily favored to win. The donation will be included in the super PAC’s weekly filing on Monday.

In addition to paying its own staff to lobby, DoorDash has hired several firms including Actum, which employs one of Cuomo's early endorsers — former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who is also on Fix the City's board. Diaz is on listed on DoorDash's lobbying disclosures through his work at Actum, but he and Actum Partner Michael McKeon said the ex-politician has never worked on behalf of the delivery company.

DoorDash is regulated by state and city officials on issues like tipping workers and minimum wage requirements. The company previously signaled it would donate this year to “pro-local economy” candidates in New York City and state-level New Jersey races.

“In recent years we’ve seen a wave of policies emerge from New York City that, while well-intentioned, have often had unintended consequences,” John Horton, the company’s head of public policy for North America, said 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."

Fix the City has raised more than $8 million — and spent north of $3 million — since forming in March, largely from real estate executives and pro-Trump people like billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The group is helmed by Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant.

“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.

Two of Cuomo’s rivals have super PACs supporting their candidacies, but those groups are not expected to match the money being raised by Fix the City. A group backing Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani’s candidacy has reported raising less than $88,000; a super PAC aligned with former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has yet to report any fundraising.

Campaign finance regulators recently warned mayoral campaigns against coordinating with outside groups after Cuomo’s campaign used a legal practice known as “redboxing” to communicate his preferred communications strategy, POLITICO reported. The New York City Campaign Finance Board moved last year to tighten rules against passing messages between campaigns and super PACs. Cuomo’s campaign and Fix the City have insisted they are following the law.