NYC-CC39: Pro-housing and pro-open streets PACs throw down for Shahana Hanif (D)
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.
https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/05/pro-housing-and-pro-open-streets-pacs-throw-down-shahana-hanif/405400/?oref=csny-category-lander-top-story