Uber spends millions backing Fulop, Sherrill, Ciattarelli in primary

Uber is spending millions on primary races this summer in a push to end high insurance costs for rideshare companies in New Jersey.

The spending is part of an ongoing push from Uber to end the insurance requirements, including a five-figure digital ad campaign earlier this month. The company has claimed that 33% of fares in New Jersey go directly to covering high insurance costs. Uber was also among the sponsors of the New Jersey Globe’s gubernatorial primary debates earlier this month.

“The cost of rideshare in New Jersey has become too expensive for many, and that is largely due to state-mandated insurance requirements,” Uber spokesperson Freddi Goldstein said in a statement. “We’re supporting candidates who are committed to making New Jersey more affordable – even if it means taking on special interests to do so.”

Uber’s PAC, Fair & Affordable New Jersey, gave $1 million to Workers for a Better New Jersey, a super PAC supporting Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop’s campaign for governor. A source close to Uber told the New Jersey Globe the company’s PAC sent $500k to Stand Together NJ, a super PAC supporting Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and another $500k to Kitchen Table Conservatives, a super PAC supporting Republican Jack Ciattarelli.

In a statement to the New Jersey Globe, Fulop argued the spending shows the Democratic primary is a tight race between him and Sherrill.

“I take this as an unexpected political good sign as Uber cares about lower insurance costs. Importantly though, Sherrill just released an internal poll showing her up 17 points,” Fulop said. “But does anyone really think a data-driven company like Uber would back a candidate down 17 points without doing their own polling first? This tells you that internal polls don’t mean much and the momentum we have on the ground to change NJ is real.”

The Uber PAC is also expected to send money to a PAC supporting incumbent Democratic members of the Assembly.

Independent groups spending money on the primary have until midnight to file campaign finance reports.

In an April filing, the Uber PAC said it expected to spend $7 million “to amplify thoughtful candidates and campaigns that are willing to tackle New Jersey’s affordability crisis.”

The transportation company has also spent a few million dollars on the other side of the Hudson River: Uber placed $2.5 million into a New York super PAC backing several candidates for the New York City Council, according to filings.

This story could be updated as campaign finance filings continue.