Billionaire-Funded PAC Calls Progressive Candidates "Too Dangerous" in New Mailers

A political action committee (PAC) funded by prominent real estate and business executives dropped over $300,000 on mailers attacking progressive candidates as being "too dangerous for the City Council" while boosting more moderate ones.

The PAC, called Common Sense NYC, was primarily funded with $1 million from Stephen Ross, CEO of Related Companies, the real estate firm that developed Hudson Yards. Ronald Lauder, an heir to the Estée Lauder makeup company and president of the World Jewish Congress, gave another $500,000.

All told, the group spent $331,802 on mailers in support of 15 Council candidates across the city, and attacked seven others with messages about rising crime and policing reform.