In the competitive race for New York City Council District 39, Democratic candidate Maya Kornberg has faced scrutiny over her campaign’s financial backers, particularly billionaire Leonard Blavatnik. While Kornberg has previously stated she has “no relationship” with Blavatnik, recent revelations suggest a deeper connection than previously disclosed.
Family Ties to Blavatnik
Maya Kornberg is the daughter of Nobel laureate Roger D. Kornberg and the granddaughter of Nobel laureate Arthur Kornberg. Her family has deep roots in the scientific community. Blavatnik, a Ukrainian-born British-American billionaire, is known for his extensive philanthropic efforts and political donations. He has contributed to both Republican and Democratic causes, including significant donations to President Donald Trump’s inauguration committee and legal defense fund. (Maya Kornberg, Len Blavatnik)
While Kornberg has not publicly acknowledged a personal relationship with Blavatnik, her campaign has received financial support from individuals with ties to him. This has raised questions about the extent of her family’s connections to Blavatnik and the potential influence of his contributions on her campaign.
According to a 2019 press report included in the Indivisible letter, Blavatnik jointly owned a biotechnology company with Kornberg’s father, Nobel prize-winning chemist Roger Kornberg, seeded with a $20 million investment agreement by Blavatnik’s medical investment company. The new company, which later became Interna Therapeutics, currently lists Roger as its scientific president and Maya Kornberg’s brother as serving as its chief operating officer. Blavatnik and his wife each gave the $1,050 to Kornberg’s campaign last year – the maximum for council campaigns participating in the city’s matching funds program.
Political Contributions and Ethical Concerns
Indivisible Brooklyn, a progressive group supporting incumbent City Council Member Shahana Hanif, has called on Kornberg to return donations from contributors who have also supported Republican candidates. The group’s letter highlights Blavatnik’s donations to Trump’s inauguration committee and legal defense fund, questioning Kornberg’s commitment to progressive values.
Kornberg’s Response
In response to questions about these donations, Kornberg emphasized that her campaign is primarily funded by small donors and the city’s public financing program. She stated, “About half of my donors come from the district itself, which I think is representative of the kind of grassroots campaign that I’m aiming to run.”
While Kornberg’s campaign may be largely funded by local supporters, the involvement of donors with ties to Republican causes raises ethical questions. As the campaign progresses, voters will need to consider whether Kornberg’s financial backers align with her stated progressive values.
