DoorDash Spent $1.4M Against NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Before $131.5M Worker Settlement

DoorDash's Campaign Spending Revealed

DoorDash spent approximately $1.4 million in 2021 to prevent Zohran Mamdani from becoming mayor of New York City. This spending occurred before the recent announcement of a $131.5 million settlement between DoorDash and New York City for underpaying 264,000 delivery workers. Mamdani was instrumental in overseeing this settlement.

Significant Political Contributions

The company's contributions included a $1 million donation to a super PAC named Fix the City, which was the largest single donation in the mayoral race at the time. This super PAC was a major outside spender, accounting for nearly half of the total outside spending in the election. DoorDash's spending was directed against Mamdani and in favor of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Mamdani's Stance on Delivery Apps

During his campaign, Mamdani advocated for regulating delivery apps and implementing further protections for delivery workers. These proposals garnered support from various delivery worker groups. The recent settlement, the largest worker settlement in New York City's history, brings renewed attention to DoorDash's past political spending.

Settlement Details and Company Response

The $131.5 million settlement addresses underpayment and late payments to DoorDash workers. In a public statement, DoorDash acknowledged its errors, stating, "Simply put, we screwed up. Our mistakes meant some Dashers were underpaid or paid late. While these mistakes weren’t intentional, that doesn’t make them okay." The company did not comment on its campaign contributions.

Implications of Corporate Spending

Greg Coleridge, a former co-director of Move to Amend, an advocacy group for stricter regulations on corporate money in elections, commented on the situation. He stated that such contributions are investments with an expected return, and in this instance, a company attempting to avoid accountability was unsuccessful.