Airbnb Pouring PAC Money Into Bronx City Council Races
Affordable New York, a local super PAC affiliated with property rental company Airbnb, is spending $100,000 on a City Council contest to replace term-limited Democrat Diana Ayala in the South Bronx and East Harlem, according to the latest campaign finance disclosures.
The super PAC is throwing its weight behind Ayala’s chief of staff, Elsie Encarnacion and has already spent big on other Bronx Council races. Affordable New York sunk $186,120 into Councilmember Kevin Riley’s reelection bid against Andy King, who formerly represented that district; $74,738 towards Councilmember Oswald’s Feliz reelection; $99,862in support of reelecting Councilmember Althea Stevens; $65,000 to reelect Councilmember Eric Dinowitz and $27,692 on behalf of Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías.
It has also contributed $100,635 towards Rafael Salamanca’s bid to unseat Borough President Vanessa Gibson.
Of the more than $1.1 million that Affordable New York has spent on New York City’s elections this year, 58% has been spent in The Bronx.
https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/06/03/airbnb-affordable-new-york-elsie-encarnacion-cd8/