Airbnb contributes $750,000 to PAC backing Mayor Bass amid rental policy debate

Airbnb has contributed $750,000 to an independent political committee that supports Mayor Karen Bass’s bid for a second term, fueling criticism that the company is buying influence over a pending short-term-rental reform. Councilwoman Nithya Raman, Bass’s runoff opponent, has accused the mayor of pay-to-play politics, arguing the donation coincides with her plan to expand short-term rentals to second homes and investment properties through 2028, a change intended to boost lodging ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

Political analyst Michael Fahey says the amount is notable on its own and especially concerning given the policy overlap, though he stresses the filing does not prove a quid-pro-quo. The $750,000 went to an independent expenditure committee, which legally cannot coordinate with Bass’s campaign, a point Bass’s team is likely to emphasize. Housing advocates warn the proposal could reduce long-term housing stock, while former NYC housing official Nick Smith notes the move is more moderate than stricter bans in other cities. The controversy adds a new dimension to the November runoff, where Bass holds a sizable fundraising lead over Raman.