| | | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin, Anna Gronewold and Deanna Garcia | There might not be a ton of suspense in the race for New York City mayor, particularly after the first public poll in the contest Monday evening found Eric Adams leading by 36 points. But head down the ballot and you'll find a handful of local races that are looking more competitive. Taking a closer look at one of the hardest fought campaigns, Erin reports on the race for the 32nd City Council district in Queens — the last Republican Council seat in the borough, now held by Eric Ulrich. Democrats would love to see that number reduced to zero, and have been targeting the race heavily. Their nominee, Felicia Singh, is a teacher and daughter of immigrants backed by the progressive movement. "There's so much at stake in this race," she said in an interview, and Democrats seem to agree, converging on the district from around the city to campaign in recent weeks. Her opponent, Joann Ariola, is the chair of the Queens GOP. Yet, despite representing her party's last hope for city office in the borough, Ariola argues that being a Republican isn't all that big of a deal. "It's not a matter of flipping the seat blue or keeping the seat red — in fact, I think that's the least important thing," she said, calling her opponent too far left for voters in the moderate district. "They're not looking to make radical changes. They're just looking to get the services they deserve." The candidates are on opposite sides on the host of hot-button issues, like policing, non-citizen voting and vaccine mandates. Republicans hold just three on the 51-member Council, but there will be other races to watch in potentially purple neighborhoods: On Staten Island, conservative Democrat Sal Albanese hopes to pick up a Republican seat. And in southern Brooklyn, Republicans are trying to flip a seat in a Trump-loving district that will choose between two candidates whose party affiliations are so fluid it's difficult to keep track. IT'S TUESDAY. Got tips, suggestions or thoughts? Let us know ... By email: EDurkin@politico.com and agronewold@politico.com, or on Twitter: @erinmdurkin and @annagronewold WHERE'S KATHY? Speaking at the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus Breakfast in Lake Placid. WHERE'S BILL? Speaking at an expansion ceremony for the Studio Museum in Harlem and holding a media availability. WHERE ARE ERIC AND CURTIS? Meeting for their final general election debate on WABC at 7 p.m. Adams will also appear on the Breakfast Club. | | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down and who really has the president's ear in West Wing Playbook, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | |
|  | WHAT CITY HALL'S READING | | "NYPD officer union sues city over vaccine mandate," by New York Daily News' Noah Goldberg: "The NYPD's largest union sued the city Monday, asking a judge to block Mayor de Blasio's COVID vaccine mandate from taking effect this week. The lawsuit, filed in Staten Island Supreme Court by the Police Benevolent Association, argued that the NYPD's 'vax or test' program, which requires unvaccinated officers to get tested weekly, was enough to protect against the spread COVID-19. De Blasio scrapped that plan last week in favor of a mandate that applies to all 160,000 municipal workers." — " 'This Is Tyranny': NYC Municipal Workers March On City Hall To Protest COVID Vaccine Mandate," by Gothamist's Jake Offenhartz: "New York City employees marched on City Hall on Monday in protest of a coming vaccine mandate, shutting down the Brooklyn Bridge as they waved American flags and vowed to leave their jobs rather than comply with the new requirement." Cops testify in first day of Garner judicial inquiry, by POLITICO's Erin Durkin : A landmark judicial inquiry into the killing of Eric Garner by the NYPD kicked off Monday, with sworn public testimony from police officers involved in the events surrounding his death by chokehold. The Staten Island man's family has been pushing for years for the reckoning, which a judge granted last year and Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration fiercely resisted. "This is trailblazing, if you ask me," Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Erika Edwards said Monday as the inquiry got under way. Alvin Bragg, the Democratic nominee likely to be elected Manhattan district attorney next week, is representing the Garner family as an attorney in the case. He questioned NYPD Lt. Christopher Bannon, who dispatched cops to the Staten Island location where they attempted to arrest Garner for allegedly selling illegal cigarettes in 2014. De Blasio administration pushes to approve supervised injection sites, by POLITICO's Amanda Eisenberg: The New York City health department is "moving aggressively" to green-light a long-stalled pilot program to open at least two supervised injection facilities aimed at reducing overdose deaths, according to four people with knowledge of the plan. The pilot to approve and fund the facilities is seen by some as controversial because of the stigma of drug users openly injecting illegal substances and fears of federal prosecution. It failed to get off the ground since the City Council funded a feasibility study in 2016 and the latest push comes as Mayor Bill de Blasio eyes a gubernatorial run. "NYC adding metal detectors and police after guns found in schools," by Chalkbeat's Alex Zimmerman: "After a spate of incidents involving students bringing guns into school buildings, New York City will deploy additional metal detectors to campuses and send extra police personnel during arrival and dismissal, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday. The city has identified 30 campuses that will immediately see metal detectors on an 'unannounced' rotating basis." "Ex-NYPD sergeants' union head Ed Mullins explains offensive 'bitch' and 'whore' tweets," by New York Post's Tina Moore: "Ex-NYPD sergeants' union boss Ed Mullins testified Monday that he called city officials a 'bitch' and a 'first class whore' on Twitter because they put his officers in 'harm's way.' Mullins — who is the subject of a federal investigation into alleged misuse of union finances — took the stand in his administrative trial over the fiery postings last year." FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — A coalition of transportation and environmental groups are calling on the next mayor to come up with a plan to deter vehicle use. In a new report, called "Cut Driving: A Mandate for New York's Next Mayor," the groups warn about rising congestion as public transit use remains below pre-pandemic levels. They are calling on the next mayor to eliminate special parking privileges for city workers, use air quality alert days to implement high occupancy vehicle restrictions and convert at least 25 percent of streets into non-automotive spaces. The coalition includes the Riders Alliance, Regional Plan Association, New York League of Conservation Voters and StreetsPAC. — Danielle Muoio Dunn | | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | "Gun violence program cost millions and has created 20 jobs so far," by Times Union's Josh Solomon: "In mid-July, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the Consortium for Worker Education, a nonprofit group of 46 labor unions, would receive $18.5 million from the state to create 2,400 long-term jobs for young adults in communities distressed by gun violence. 'We are going to hire young people, train them, and give them jobs that set them up for long-term success in their careers,' Cuomo said on July 14 in Brooklyn, at an event where he was flanked by New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Eric Adams. … But the program has so far created about 20 jobs. According to the state Department of Labor, CWE, which tax filings indicate has a $24 million annual budget, received $12 million to execute the program that runs through September, in addition to $6.5 million for stipend payments." "Hochul vows to investigate harassment, discrimination in state government," by Spectrum's Nick Reisman: "State workers will be required to take a new live training program as a way to guard against discrimination and harassment in New York's state government, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday announced in a video released by her office. Hochul, meanwhile, will also retain an independent law firm to investigate claims of unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation in the governor's office without interference from officials, she said. … 'From the moment I took office, I've made it a priority to radically change the culture in Albany politics and promote a respectful and collaborative environment as we serve the people of New York,' Hochul said." — Hochul got her Covid-19 vaccine booster jab at Binghamton University's new nursing school facility. " After 8 months, still no final report from Assembly impeachment probe," by NY1's Zack Fink: "Last March, the state Assembly announced that its Judiciary Committee would be conducting an impeachment investigation into then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, including a probe into sexual harassment allegations. When Cuomo resigned in August, the Assembly halted an impeachment proceeding but, after public pressure, promised to release its finding from the investigation that stretched out over eight months. But members of the Judiciary Committee still have not even seen a draft of that final report. And they haven't met since August 9." " Amazon workers file for a union election in New York," by City & State's Annie McDonough: "Six months after Amazon defeated a historic unionization bid by workers in Bessemer, Alabama, a group of workers from the internet giant's Staten Island warehouses is hoping they'll have more luck. The Amazon Labor Union filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board on Monday afternoon after announcing it had collected authorization cards from more than 2,000 workers … The ALU is now asking for higher pay, job security, safer working conditions, and longer breaks, among other things. If the NLRB approves the ALU's petition, it would trigger a union election for JFK8 and three other facilities on Staten Island, employing about 7,000 people." "Disabled and Abandoned in New York's Prisons," by New York Focus' Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg: "Philip Nelson uses a cane and, when permitted, a wheelchair to navigate Five Points Correctional Facility in upstate New York. At 54, he has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and asthma. When he attends medical appointments outside the prison, he does so in shackles. 'I am handcuffed with a chain wrapped around my waist, and connected to a black box, so that I am only able to move my hands from my waist to my mouth,' he wrote to New York Focus and The Nation … Nelson is one of five named plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit filed in August against the Superintendent of Five Points Correctional Facility, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), and the Acting Commissioner of DOCCS, alleging that Five Points deprives people with disabilities of their most basic needs." #UpstateAmerica: A "white corn whiskey" (which we think makes it moonshine?) from Erie County has earned the New York State Distillers Guild Governor's Cup as the state's best spirit for 2021. | | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | |
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | "Rep. Espaillat Campaign Paid Thousands to Online Influencers Who Delivered Flattering Posts," by The City's Claudia Irizarry Aponte: "Campaign committees for Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan/The Bronx) have paid nearly $15,000 to bloggers for posting hundreds of flattering articles dating to his first run for Congress in 2016, Federal Election Commission filings show. The bloggers' posts do not disclose their financial ties with the Espaillat campaign — exploiting a legal gray area as paid social media influencers play a growing role in campaigns nationally." | | Scranton on the Hudson | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — NAACP New York State Conference President Hazel Dukes is urging President Joe Biden to nominate acting Federal Communications Commission chair Jessica Rosenworcel to the position permanently. Dukes, in a letter to the White House today, says Rosenworcel "has proven herself time and again" as the right person to lead, especially in an expected expansion of broadband connectivity to low-income communities. "Time is of the essence," Dukes wrote. "The FCC has operated without a full commission for the entirety of your Administration, and Acting Chair Rosenworcel will have to leave the commission at year's end unless she is re-nominated in the coming days. We cannot afford to lose her leadership at this pivotal moment." — Anna RELATED: Biden expected to name 2 FCC picks in race to avert Republican majority, by POLITICO's John Hendel | | AROUND NEW YORK | | — City Council Member Bob Holden filed an ethics complaint against Assemblymember Catalina Cruz over a profane phone call. — Gene Friedman, who became the nation's biggest taxi mogul, died at age 50. — CWA has launched a new TV ad during the third week of more than 2,000 workers on strike at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo. — Greece Police Chief Andrew Forsythe resigned "only days after slamming his department-issued sport utility vehicle into a guardrail, then driving five more miles on three wheels with sparks flying." — State budget director Robert Mujica reportedly accused CUNY officials of misleading him about plummeting enrollment. — Western New York's first proposed legal pot farm and production facility got the green light from city planners. | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Hillary Clinton … Katy Tur … Jef Pollock of Global Strategy Group … Finsbury Glover Hering's Aleta Greer … Caren Bohan … NYT's Mark Landler … NBC's Bianca Brosh … Taffy Brodesser-Akner … Nico Pitney of More Perfect Union MEDIAWATCH — Jonathan Lemire will join POLITICO as White House bureau chief. He has been at The Associated Press where he covered the White House and before that City Hall, and was previously a reporter for the New York Daily News. Lemire will also be the host of MSNBC's "Way Too Early." Max Tani will also join POLITICO as a member of the West Wing Playbook team. He has been a media reporter for the Daily Beast. MAKING MOVES — Jessica Hertz has been named general counsel of commerce platform Shopify, where she'll start in November. She most recently was staff secretary in the White House (where Neera Tanden is replacing her), and is a Facebook alum. … Deidrea Miller is now head of communications for Christie's Americas and will be based in New York. She most recently was a director at Brunswick Group and is also a Bill de Blasio alum. ENGAGED — Allana Clarke, an artist and professor, got engaged to Timothy Corson, who works in finance. The couple met on Bumble in October 2017, and he proposed at the stroke of midnight on their four year anniversary in their apartment. The ring is an ethically sustainably sourced sapphire stone. Pic | | REAL ESTATE | | "Homeless Bounced From Hotels to Streets and Shelters: A NYC Pandemic Odyssey," by The City's Reuven Blau: "About a month after the pandemic shut down New York, the de Blasio administration began moving the first of thousands of people staying in the city's shelter system to private hotels virtually emptied by the lockdown. Homeless people largely hailed the move, saying the simple dignity of having their own bed and bathroom proved a life-changing experience. But in June, as Mayor Bill de Blasio moved to fully reopen the city amid rising vaccination rates and decreasing infections, the city began to transfer many people back to congregate homeless shelters … Some without housing chose to live on the streets instead of going back to often chaotic and dangerous shelters. Others returned to group shelters where they have tried to obtain vouchers for private housing." "NYC's safest neighborhood is this off-the-radar slice of Queens," by New York Post's Allison Hope: "Complaints about traffic and garbage are so 1999 compared to the threats facing New Yorkers these days. Right now, floods, fires, poxes and vermin seem to be in vogue — and for many denizens of the Greatest City in the World, it feels like only a matter of time until the next fill-in-the-blank catastrophe strikes. Safety is now an issue that weighs heavily on the minds of buyers and renters when it comes time to move, real estate experts told The Post … While lots of neighborhoods stood out, one unexpected area took the cake. That neighborhood is — drumroll — Fresh Meadows."
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