This isn’t a conspiracy. This is real. “Westside… Progress?” feat. Ben McKenzie

A shady PAC called “Westside Progress” is spending huge amounts of money against me. Who’s funding them? Another PAC called “Next NYC.” (Bad name.) But who’s REALLY behind it? (1/8)

In April, @nysfocus reported on the influence of this super PAC. They now appear to be solely focused on defeating me. (2/8)

Next NYC PAC got $25k from Wendy Eisenberg, a founder of A&E Real Estate. The #1 & #2 worst landlords in NYC this year work for A&E, with the most violations in history, including many right here on the UWS. (3/8)

The Real Estate Board of NY also gave $15,000 to Next NYC PAC. REBNY is a trade association of big landlords. They fought to keep renters paying steep broker fees–they don’t want independent progressives in Albany. (4/8)

Why are some of the worst landlords in NYC donating to a PAC to oppose me? Because they know I’m unbought and I’ll fight for tenants. That’s why I’ve been endorsed by @TenantsPACNY, @CuffhAction, @tenantinquilino (Met Council on Housing), and @OpenNYForAll. (5/8)

And it isn’t just landlords. East Side megadonor Martin Geller gave $36k to Next NYC PAC. This is chump change to him— he’s given thousands of dollars to Republicans, from Lindsey Graham in South Carolina to GOP Speaker Mike Johnson in Louisiana. (6/8)

Megadonors tried to buy an NYC election last year: Next NYC PAC donors Alice Tisch, Amanda Eilian, Brian Cooper, and Dan Lubetzky also gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to a pro-Cuomo super PAC. It didn’t work, and it won’t work now, but what’s another $700K to them? (7/8)

The powerful, connected donors funding these PACs can’t intimidate me. I’ll fight Trump and ICE, protect tenants from being displaced, and work to reduce the power of big money in politics. It’s what I believe and what the UWS deserves. (8/8)

@ben_mckenzie This rules, billionaires trying to buy our elections stink. Glad you found a fun way to call it out

@ben_mckenzie Genuinely good acting, Mr. McKenzie. Charlie Day would be proud.