Pro-housing and pro-open streets PACs throw down for Shahana Hanif

In a competitive City Council primary already loaded with outside spending, incumbent Council Member Shahana Hanif will get a six-figure boost from a couple of pro-housing and pro-public space PACs, the groups exclusively told City & State.

Hanif, a Democratic socialist, is facing a challenge from Maya Kornberg, a senior research fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice who has described herself as a pragmatic progressive. 

Both candidates have already raised more than they’re allowed to spend in their own campaign accounts, but organizations registered as independent expenditure committees don’t have the same spending limits. Kornberg already has the support of some outside groups including Solidarity PAC, a pro-Israel group, which has helped fundraise for her – appearing to yield over $13,000 as of March according to a New York Focus analysis – and Brooklyn Bridgebuilders, which has reported spending nearly $11,000 in campaign materials opposing Hanif. The latter has also accused Hanif of ignoring antisemitic incidents in the district – an allegation Hanif has denied. Kornberg is also benefitting from a $39,000 independent spend by a Madison Square Garden-backed PAC.

But now two YIMBY PACs are planning to spend at least $150,000 to promote Hanif as a champion of housing and open public spaces. The new combined independent spend will include at least $100,000 coming from Abundant New York and $50,000 coming from People for Public Space. Abundant New York – the political arm of pro-housing development nonprofit Open New York – previously told City & State they would be spending $500,000 on behalf of six endorsed candidates in competitive races this year.

Representatives of both PACs highlighted Hanif’s support for the City of Yes rezoning last year – a contentious citywide land use overhaul to promote housing development – and provisions in it that lifted parking mandates for new housing in parts of the city. “She’s been a model for what we think leadership should look like on public space and transportation,” said Sara Lind, who represents the People for Public Space PAC. (Lind said the PAC is not legally affiliated with Open Plans, the organization where Lind serves as co-executive director.)

“Democratic primary voters understand that the status quo is not working when it comes to housing, and Shahana represents a change in really standing up for more homes,” added Annemarie Gray, executive director of Open New York.

Gray in particular drew attention to Hanif’s support for the Arrow-Linen rezoning in her district, which passed the council in February. A group that opposed the rezoning has said that they would work to unseat Hanif in the primary, and several members of the group have donated to Kornberg.

Hanif recently received the endorsement of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – one of just two endorsements the popular progressive has made in city races so far this year.