News: POLITICO New York Playbook: New York's post-primary shuffle

Thursday, July 7, 2022

POLITICO New York Playbook: New York's post-primary shuffle

Jul 07, 2022

By Erin Durkin, Anna Gronewold and Julian Shen-Berro

Pieces are starting to fall into place after last week's primaries.

Last night, New York Working Families Party Deputy Director Sharon Cromwell announced the state committee voted to put Kathy Hochul for governor and Antonio Delgado for lieutenant governor on their ballot line in the general election. The not-unexpected move comes after Jumaane Williams and Ana María Archila declined those respective designations following their primary losses.

"Our party has never played the role of spoiler and has no intentions of doing so this year," Cromwell said in a statement. "We're committed to ensuring the Republican nominee Lee Zeldin — and all right-wing extremists dead set on stripping us of our freedoms — are soundly defeated on Election Day."

On the Republican side, GOP nominee for lieutenant governor Alison Esposito officially turned the page on her nearly 25-year career in law enforcement with a ceremonial walkout yesterday as she now looks toward November alongside gubernatorial candidate Rep. Lee Zeldin.

"You have been my heroes for almost 25 years and now it's time for me to return the favor," she said, promising members of law enforcement gathered at her former Brooklyn command that a Zeldin administration "will always have your back."

Over in Erie County, the primary results had a more dramatic consequence for a state Senate race. Republican Joel A. Giambra ended his primary challenge against Sen. Ed Rath (R-Amherst). Giambra cited newly drawn districts less favorable to him as a reason for his choice, but pointed to his distaste for Zeldin's Trump-like brand of conservative views on guns, abortion and LGBTQ rights.

"Now I would have to campaign with Zeldin. And I don't think there is room in this party for a different voice — it is so polarized," he said, according to The Buffalo News. "I would have to go through a campaign on a team whose philosophy I don't believe in. My heart was not in it."

IT'S THURSDAY. 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? Making a clean water infrastructure announcement at the Suffolk County Water Authority Education Center.

WHERE'S ERIC? Hosting a Summer Youth Employment Program kick-off then meeting with people in custody on Rikers Island.

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What City Hall's reading

"N.Y.C. Ferry System Lost Track of $224 Million, Audit Finds," by The New York Times' Ana Ley: "The agency in charge of running New York City's ferry system failed to report nearly a quarter-billion dollars in costs during the administration of Mayor Bill de Blasio, the city comptroller announced on Wednesday in a 50-page audit. 'We rely on the city to be honest in how much things cost so that we can make clear, shared decisions about where the money is going,' the comptroller, Brad Lander, told reporters. 'When hide-the-ball is played with any amount — certainly with a quarter of a billion dollars — you can't have confidence that your city is providing the truth.' The report details record-keeping problems at the city's Economic Development Corporation, a semi-independent agency that runs the ferry network with the private company Hornblower. According to the audit, the E.D.C. made excessive payments to Hornblower and failed to hold the operator accountable to the contract it signed."

"NYC Education Dept. staffers accused of using fake vaccine cards must have disciplinary hearings ," by New York Daily News' Michael Elsen-Rooney: "The New York City Education Department can't place 82 staffers accused of using fake vaccine cards on unpaid leave before they can appeal the allegations, a labor arbitrator has ruled. The DOE has to work with the teachers union and create a formal appeal process, arbitrator Martin Scheinman decided on June 27. Now the city is challenging that ruling in state court, arguing Scheinman doesn't have the authority to intervene in what Education Department officials say is a straightforward violation of the city's vaccine mandate. A United Federation of Teachers spokeswoman said the ruling validates the union's position that the workers can't 'be disciplined without due process.'"

"How does redistricting work in New York City?," by City & State's Annie McDonough: "This time, it's the New York City Council's 51 districts that are being redrawn by the city's Districting Commission. New York City is faced with the task of updating its Council districts to reflect population changes in the 2020 Census. The new maps will go into effect next February, ahead of the next City Council elections that spring. Another redistricting process might elicit groans in a state that just witnessed a contentious and chaotic redistricting process for state Senate, Assembly and Congressional lines that resulted in a split primary. People involved in the city's redistricting process have said that this process will run much more smoothly, in part because it works differently than the state's. For one thing, the city's Districting Commission has final say over the maps, not the City Council."

"NYC schools are facing larger cuts than Adams administration detailed," by Gothamist's Jessica Gould: "Mayor Eric Adams' preliminary budget included $375 million in cuts because of a decline in enrollment. The education department has consistently said it's using federal stimulus money to soften the blow so that schools will only lose $215 million due to last year's register loss. But many principals, parents and politicians have been alarmed by just how deep those cuts are, which have already resulted in staff and program cuts at many schools. Now, officials say additional reductions have to be made to individual school budgets because their enrollment is projected to decline further in the coming academic year. … An analysis by the City Comptroller released in June has identified a total of nearly $150 million more in net reductions to individual school budgets for the coming year — far more than the $215 million officials announced when the budget was first introduced in February."

"Jerry Nadler endorsed by 1199SEIU in competitive race against Carolyn Maloney ," by City & State's Sara Dorn and Jeff Coltin: "Rep. Jerry Nadler has earned the endorsement of the 1199SEIU, the influential health care workers union, in his run for the 12th Congressional District against Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Nadler's campaign exclusively told City & State. … The high-income Manhattan district isn't exactly a hotspot for the union's middle class members. But the union's huge membership means that roughly 4,000 members live in NY-12, according to a campaign spokesperson. The endorsement is also likely to come to institutional support in the form of donations and canvassers handing out campaign literature and making phone calls. A super PAC affiliated with the union may also donate, though Schaub said on Wednesday that decisions on spending hadn't been made yet."

WHAT ALBANY'S READING

"Bronx Dems dump AOC-aligned Sen. Gustavo Rivera over far-left positions," by New York Post's Carl Campanile: "The Bronx Democratic Party decided to part ways with a veteran incumbent amid a contentious power struggle between its left and far-left flanks. In an unusual move, the leadership of the Bronx Dems snubbed state Sen. Gustavo Rivera and instead endorsed his rival, lawyer Miguelina Camilo, in the reapportioned 33rd district. Even more surprising is that fellow state legislators who run the Bronx Democratic Party — state Sen. Jamaal Bailey, who is party chairman, and Assemblywoman Jeffrey Dinowitz, who is the party's secretary — back the move to dump their colleague. 'Gustavo has aligned himself with the far left of the party. Defunding the police, that's not going to sit well in the 33rd District,' said Dinowitz. … Dinowitz noted that Rivera now resides in the 31st District but insisted on running again in the 33rd."

"NYCLU fights State Police over internal disciplinary records," by Times Union's Michelle Del Rey: "Although many police agencies have promptly disclosed the disciplinary records of officers, others have gone to court and challenged whether the repeal applies to all records, including those that document 'unsubstantiated' or 'unfounded' complaints. The change in the law also has revealed that many police agencies document misconduct differently, including some that keep letters of reprimand on file for limited periods. The lawsuit centers on a Freedom of Information Law request the NYCLU filed in September 2020 seeking 'copies of all law enforcement disciplinary records,' as well as related training documents and 'investigative reports regarding each law enforcement officer cleared of, or found to have engaged in, wrongdoing in civilian complaints.' The agency, after multiple delays, produced some records but also asserted that the request was overly burdensome and that the disclosure of records related to unfounded complaints would be an invasion of those troopers' personal privacy."

"The Fossil Fuel Investments Driving Up ConEd Energy Bills ," by New York Focus' Colin Kinniburgh: "If state regulators sign off on ConEd's proposal, customers would be on the hook for a total $1.4 billion in spending next year, split between the utility's electric operations ($1 billion) and gas ($400 million). That would mean a 10 percent jump in electric bills, and a 15 percent jump for gas, starting in January. Those hikes—the steepest in at least fifteen years, if approved—would likely be followed by more in 2024 and 2025. The utility presents the spending as a win-win for customers. The proposed investments will improve service and make the grid more resilient in severe weather, spokesperson Allan Drury told New York Focus—while also supporting the state's climate goals, since some of the funds would go toward clean energy projects. But ConEd also plans to sink hundreds of millions into its existing fossil fuel systems—investments that New York City officials and environmental advocates say would run counter to state climate law, which requires the power sector to transition to 100 percent clean energy by 2040."

" Hochul slammed for 'slow-walking' promised probe into NY's COVID-19 response," by New York Post's Zach Williams: "The governor has suggested on multiple occasions she wants to find the facts about the state's COVID-19 response since replacing disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo – who infamously covered up data detailing deaths among nursing home residents — last August. But Gov. Hochul — who is up for election in November — has yet to appoint any investigators or even seek proposals from outside consultants who would help with such an effort, according to Gotham Gazette, though RFPs could be released in the months ahead."

" How a Long-Sought Bill Could Make Construction Work Less Deadly," by The New York Times' Karen Zraick: "Carlos Moncayo was just 22 when he was crushed to death by thousands of pounds of dirt at a construction site in Manhattan's meatpacking district. More than seven years later, a construction safety bill named after him could become law, if Gov. Kathy Hochul chooses to sign it. The legislation, known as Carlos's Law, would dramatically raise the fines faced by corporations for construction accidents that result in criminal convictions. While the bill passed both houses of the State Legislature on the final day of the session last month, Ms. Hochul's office has said only that she was reviewing it."

#UpstateAmerica: Hilary Swank spent "five grueling weeks" of filming in Albany for a role as a Times Union reporter in a forthcoming noir thriller.

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FEELIN' 22

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: A big name in American politics has weighed in on the wide-open race for the NY-10 congressional seat: Sen. Cory Booker, a 2020 presidential candidate, is endorsing Rep. Mondaire Jones' bid in the upcoming Democratic primary. In a statement shared with POLITICO, Booker cites the congressman's "passion for serving his constituents and making real change." The Jones team highlighted their joint overseas travel in April to rally support for Ukraine after the Russian invasion. Booker's high-profile and regular presence on cable news could help boost Jones against the other well-funded candidates in the race. Attorney Dan Goldman, who has never held elected office, said he's already raised more than $1.2 million. Goldman, who could also pour his personal wealth into his campaign, led the first impeachment proceedings against former President Donald Trump.

Jones also faces former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has near-universal name recognition and a long history representing the area, but fell out of favor with many of its residents during his time in City Hall. City Council Member Carlina Rivera this week announced the backing of health care workers union 1199, whose leaders told reporters Wednesday they are open to an independent expenditure on her behalf. Assemblymembers Yuh-Line Niou, who has the backing of the Working Families Party, and Jo Anne Simon, a long-time representative of the district, are also in contention. Jones is trying to shift attention away from his recent decision to move into the district after a redrawing of congressional lines handed him a tough primary in his previous Westchester seat. — Sally Goldenberg

AROUND NEW YORK

— Nine more people were shot in NYC the day after a deadly holiday weekend.

— An "unfortunate glitch" led to some confusion and frustration for New Yorkers seeking vaccination against monkeypox.

— SUNY Polytechnic Institute founder Alain Kaloyeros has been released from federal prison amid Supreme Court appeals.

— A federal judge delayed ex-Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano's prison surrender by two weeks.

— The state has "vast new powers to regulate the commercial harvest of crabs."

—Comptroller Tom DiNapoli wants the state to bolster its rainy day fund.

— A judge let a lawsuit alleging racist behavior by the Rochester Police Department move forward.

— New Yorkers are flocking to Gardiner and the Gunks.

SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Stuart Varney of Fox Business Network … Eleanor Clift … Treasury's Marti Adams Baker … CNN's Nia-Malika Henderson … Randy James … ABC's Sophie Tatum … Roselle Chartock … Wilmer Hale's Jason Raymond

MAKING MOVES — Avi Weitzman has joined Paul Hastings LLP as a partner based in New York. He most recently was a partner at Gibson Dunn, where he worked in the litigation, white collar defense and investigations, securities enforcement, and media, entertainment and technology practice groups. He is also a former AUSA in the Southern District of New York. … Dylan F. Pyne is now president of the Edgemont Community Council in Westchester County.

MEDIAWATCH — Anthony Cormier, Jason Leopold, Kendall Taggart and Alex Campbell are joining Bloomberg's investigations team. Cormier, Leopold and Taggart will all be senior investigative reporters and come from BuzzFeed. Campbell will be a team leader and also comes from BuzzFeed.

— NYT's Jesse Drucker is writing a book, titled "The Industry," about "the 'tax-avoidance industry."

Real Estate

"Judge holds real estate giant Cushman & Wakefield in contempt in NY probe of Trump Organization," by CNBC's Kevin Breuninger and Dan Mangan: "A New York judge held real estate services giant Cushman & Wakefield in contempt of court for refusing to comply with subpoenas demanding documents sought by the state attorney general for her civil investigation of former President Donald Trump's company. Cushman will have to pay a $10,000-a-day fine, starting Wednesday, until it complies with the subpoenas related to the firm's work for the Trump Organization, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron said in the contempt order issued Tuesday night. Engoron in that order wrote that Chicago-based Cushman engaged in 'willful non-compliance with Court-ordered deadlines' for turning over the documents."

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