Key Takeaways:
- Three Democratic mayoral candidates in New York City are facing a $1 million digital ad campaign backed by Airbnb.
- The ads criticize candidates for opposing short-term rentals, claiming their policies would make NYC more expensive.
- The campaign may inadvertently boost Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral bid.
- Airbnb is fighting to change strict rental rules in the city.
Airbnb’s $1 Million Ad Campaign Targets NYC Mayoral Candidates
A new digital ad campaign worth $1 million, funded by Airbnb, is targeting three Democratic mayoral candidates in New York City. The candidates—Zohran Mamdani, Scott Stringer, and Brad Lander—are being criticized for their opposition to short-term rentals in the city. The ads claim their policies would make life even more expensive for New Yorkers.
The 30-second ad, which started airing on Monday, accuses the candidates of blocking “common-sense solutions” to make the city more affordable. It warns that their plans would hurt the city’s affordability.
Who’s Behind the Ads?
The ad is part of a larger effort by Airbnb’s political action committee (PAC), called Affordable New York. The PAC is spending big to influence the mayoral race. While the ads attack the three progressive candidates, they seem to indirectly help Andrew Cuomo, a former governor and current mayoral frontrunner.
Politico reports that the ad campaign puts Cuomo in a strong position. He now has support from both sides of a heated battle between Airbnb and the hotel workers union.
Hotel Union Backs Cuomo
The Hotel and Gaming Trade Council (HTC), which represents hotel workers, has already endorsed Cuomo. The union plans to spend $1 million to support his campaign.
Bhav Tibrewal, HTC’s political director, expressed confusion over Airbnb’s strategy. “As governor, Andrew Cuomo took action against unregulated short-term rentals,” Tibrewal said. “He’s promised to stand up for tenants and workers as mayor.”
Tibrewal added, “If Airbnb thinks it’s a flex to publicly light their money on fire, we’re happy to not stand in their way on this one.”
Airbnb’s Fight for Short-Term Rentals
This ad campaign is part of Airbnb’s broader effort to influence New York City’s rental rules. Currently, the city prohibits short-term rentals of less than 30 days unless the host is present. This law has made many Airbnb listings in NYC illegal.
Airbnb is pushing to exempt one and two-family homeowners from these strict regulations. The company argues that allowing short-term rentals could help make the city more affordable. However, critics worry it could lead to fewer affordable housing options for long-term residents.
What’s Next in the Mayoral Race?
The mayoral race is heating up, and money is playing a big role. Airbnb’s super PAC has indicated it may spend up to another $1 million before the June 24 Democratic primary. This adds to the $1 million already budgeted for the current ad campaign.
With Airbnb and the hotel union spending millions, the race is becoming increasingly expensive. The candidates being targeted by Airbnb—Mamdani, Stringer, and Lander—face an uphill battle as they try to convince voters their policies are right for the city.
Meanwhile, Andrew Cuomo is benefiting from the clash between Airbnb and the hotel union. His support from HTC and the indirect boost from Airbnb’s ads have strengthened his position as the frontrunner.
Conclusion
The New York City mayoral race is getting more intense as big money flows in. Airbnb’s $1 million ad campaign is stirring up controversy, but it may end up helping Andrew Cuomo more than hurting his opponents. As the election approaches, it’s clear that affordable housing and short-term rentals will be key issues for voters.
Only time will tell how these ads—and the millions of dollars behind them—will shape the race. One thing is certain: the mayoral election will have a major impact on the future of NYC.