Uber announced a partnership Friday with the Democratic National Convention — a deal conspicuously absent on the Republican side.
The ride-hailing company will serve as the “official transportation partner” of the Democratic convention taking place in Philadelphia later this month, according to a company blog post.
But Uber wasn’t able to reach a deal with Republicans, a company representative told The Hill.
The announcement comes after some good news for Uber — more money. Uber reportedly has secured $1.15 billion from its first bank loan, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited an anonymous person familiar with the matter. The Mercury News reported last month that Uber was seeking a loan for up to $2 billion.
Uber promises rides will be available for Republicans going to and from the convention in Cleveland too, saying the service will work “in cooperation” with Republican staff.
“Whether you’re packing your favorite Ronald Reagan t-shirt or sporting a vintage LBJ button, you will be able to get a ride with just the push of a button,” the company wrote in its blog post.
Uber also will let delegates and attendees at both conventions wait for their rides in special Uber lounges equipped with bottled water, snacks, charging stations and, of course, “information about what Uber is doing around the world.”
Though Uber hasn’t publicly attached a political significance to its partnership with Democrats, it’s no secret presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump hasn’t made many friends in Silicon Valley. But Uber may not be the biggest Hillary Clinton fan either — the Democratic front-runner has attacked the on-demand economy in the past, accusing companies of committing wage theft.
Photo: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton listens during a conversation with community leaders at the Good Day Cafe in Vallejo on June 5. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
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