Dear Friends—Well, fair enough. In this war over "illegal hotels," both sides are going to the mattresses.
I am usually asking for your help for political candidates here in New York, and I frequently discuss the need for campaign finance reform to help limit big money special interests buying our democracy. And of course, you know of my commitment to protecting safe and affordable housing in our City.
Today, I want to take a few minutes to talk about how all these issues are interrelated and are impacting both New York City and San Francisco, where the same companies are violating state and local laws, putting communities at risk, and spending enormous money to effect elections when officials stand up to them.
I have been working with other elected officials and community groups who have come together as the Share Better Coalition. The coalition has made a lot of progress here in New York City to raise awareness and help spread the word about the rampant threat of illegal hotel operators, and the facilitators like Airbnb who profit off of them. But this isn’t just about protecting affordable housing in New York City.
This is a national campaign, and we need to help our allies push back against Airbnb and illegal hotels wherever the fight takes us.
That is why I am writing you today. The struggle for affordable housing is at a critical juncture in San Francisco, which is home to the most expensive housing market in the country. And right now, a fellow affordable housing advocate on the front lines of that fight in San Francisco needs our help.
True Progressive David Campos, a San Francisco City Supervisor and candidate for the California State Assembly, has been a leading voice in favor of stronger oversight of Airbnb, calling for the company to repay millions in back taxes and fighting to protect tenants and affordable housing in San Francisco.
David Campos is facing a tough election against David Chiu, Airbnb's chief water-carrier in San Francisco.
Just this week, Mr. Chiu was hit with an ethics complaint for not disclosing time spent with Airbnb lobbyists. And Airbnb-linked investors just pumped in $500,000 to fund a barrage of negative ads against Campos. It's no surprise that Airbnb would stop at nothing to elect Chiu – they wrote the bill that he introduced, a bill that legalized Airbnb’s operations in San Francisco.
And now Airbnb wants to buy him a seat in California’s State Assembly.
Airbnb's pay-to-play politics are costing real San Franciscans the affordable housing they deserve. We need to fight back and show our solidarity, because everyone in this country has the right to affordable housing, no matter the city. The election is less than two weeks away, and time is running out. A recent poll shows the race is neck and neck.
So, if you’re an opponent of illegal hotels and want to protect affordable housing, the time to act is now. Make your voice heard and support David Campos for California State Assembly, District 17.
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