DoorDash Spent $1.4M Trying to Stop Mamdani from Becoming Mayor. Now We Know Why

Last year, DoorDash, the food delivery company, spent around $1.4 million on a campaign to prevent Zohran Mamdani from becoming mayor. Mamdani had overseen a recent settlement in which DoorDash was found liable for underpaying thousands of its workers. The food delivery giant's $1 million contribution to a super PAC, the largest donation in the race, was the subject of criticism from other candidates.

DoorDash made the $1 million gift to the super PAC just as Mamdani's campaign was gaining steam ahead of the 2025 mayoral election. The company's spending against Mamdani and for former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was one of the highest in the election, with the company being a top donor to Fix the City, a super PAC that spent $31 million in the election.

The super PAC ran a barrage of ads, fake news, and deceptive tactics to prevent Mamdani's victory. After the settlement was announced, DoorDash admitted that it "screwed up" and that some drivers had been underpaid or paid late. Mamdani, who promised to regulate delivery apps and protect workers' rights, emphasized the importance of enforcement in holding companies accountable for their actions.