A former Queens lawmaker taps his successor

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Jul 24, 2023 View in browser   By Jeff Coltin and Hajah Bah Presented by The New York state Assembly Chamber is seen as lawmakers debate end of session legislative bills at the state Capitol in Albany, N.Y., Wednesday, June 7, 2023. | Hans Pennink/AP Photo A special election in the heart of Queens could be a test of Republican gains in New York City. On Monday, Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to call a special election to fill the Assembly District 27 seat that Democrat Daniel Rosenthal resigned from in June. (He’s taking a job with Jewish nonprofit UJA-Federation of New York.) State law sets the election at 40 to 50 days after the governor’s proclamation, so it’s expected to take place either Tuesday Sept. 5 or Sept. 12. Rosenthal exclusively told Playbook that he’ll be backing Sam Berger for the seat. Berger, 25, just graduated from law school, and is the son of a local Democratic district leader. However: “There has been some pushback on Berger on his age and inexperience,” a Democratic operative told Playbook. If he won, Berger would be the youngest state legislator. Rosenthal himself was the youngest member when he was elected in a 2017 special election at 26. Special elections for Assembly seats are partisan, and the district leaders effectively choose who gets the party line. In this case, the deciders are Sam’s mom, Paula Berger, along with Rosenthal and two others. Playbook was told all four agree Berger will be the party’s nominee. The district stretches from Kew Gardens Hills up into College Point and Whitestone, with a base largely made up of Orthodox Jews and Asian American voters. Both populations, including in these neighborhoods, have been casting ballots more for Republican candidates in recent years. In 2022, Lee Zeldin won the district over Hochul, 56 percent to 44 percent. Berger, like Rosenthal, is an Orthodox Jew. Insiders say Republicans are also likely to nominate an Orthodox Jew: political operative and rabbi David Hirsch. A party spokesperson said the nominee hasn’t been chosen yet, and party leaders plan to screen candidates this week. Rosenthal is already calling labor unions and advocacy groups to build support for Berger, so his seat stays in Democratic hands. The special election could be a preview for races to come. Since Representative-non-grata George Santos holds a portion of the district, both Republicans and Democrats are eager to energize voters for the next congressional election. And GOP City Council Member Vickie Paladino, who also has a portion of the district, is facing a challenge from Democrat Tony Avella, who previously held the seat. The northeastern Queens rematch is expected to be one of November’s more competitive local races. IT’S MONDAY. WHERE’S KATHY? In California with no immediate schedule. WHERE’S ERIC? Making a public space-related announcement in Manhattan, kicking off NYC Restaurant Week, and hosting a community conversation in Brooklyn. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Climate change is real and those who dispute it need to wake up and smell the smoke that's coming from Canada,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said during his new radio show “Hear from the Mayor.”   A message from Community Offshore Wind: Community Offshore Wind is helping New York meet its ambitious emission reductions targets – and more. We are lifting up communities and bringing widespread benefits across the state, introducing good-paying union jobs, providing access to childcare for those training and working in the offshore wind industry, creating inclusive workforce development programs, and empowering disadvantaged communities to ensure no one is left behind. We have strong roots in New York, and we are deeply committed to ensuring that New York communities thrive.   WHAT CITY HALL IS READING Detainee dies in his cell on Rikers Island, marking seventh death there this year, by Daily News’ Graham Rayman & John Annese NYPD Granting Fewer Gun Permits After Supreme Court Ruled It Had To Grant More, Data Shows, by THE CITY's Gwynne Hogan & Suhail Bhat: “In the six months after the high court’s ruling in New York State Rifle vs. Bruen, from June 24, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2022, the NYPD saw a surge in new gun permit applications, from just over 2,000 in the same period a year earlier to nearly 5,000. "So far, the department has approved 503 of those, or just above 10 percent." Ex-Gov. Paterson blasts congestion pricing as unwarranted, warns it will choke NY, by New York Post’s Carl Campanile: “Paterson’s criticism comes two days after New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy filed a federal lawsuit to block the toll, arguing the US Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration didn’t conduct a proper review of its impact on New Jersey drivers being unfairly targeted.”   JOIN 7/26 FOR A TALK ON THE NEW ENERGY ECONOMY: Join POLITICO's lively discussion, "Powering a Clean Energy Economy," on July 26 to explore the effectiveness of consumer-targeted policies to boost sustainability and create clean energy jobs. How are the Inflation Reduction Act's provisions faring? Which strategies truly sway consumer behavior? Hear from featured speaker, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), among other experts. Don't miss this insightful event — register today and be part of the conversation driving America's clean energy future! REGISTER NOW.     WHAT ALBANY'S READING Biden declares Hudson Valley flooding disaster, opening up FEMA aid, by Gothamist’s Jon Campbell Judge blocks Andrew Cuomo’s latest attempt to get investigation docs, by Gothamist’s Jon Campbell: “The former governor’s legal team tried to subpoena James’ office and the Assembly committee in connection with a civil lawsuit filed by a state trooper (known as Trooper 1), who claims Cuomo harassed her — kissing her on the face, touching her back and making inappropriate comments — after he had her promoted to his protective detail.” Are Google and Meta to Blame for the Racist Massacre in Buffalo?,by The New York Times’ Jesse Mckinley New York prepared to spend almost $800M on migrant shelter costs, by Times Union’s Joshua Solomon   A message from Community Offshore Wind:   FROM THE DELEGATION Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is seen during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol July 11, 2023. | Francis Chung/POLITICO Schumer sidesteps migrant issue at Watervliet Arsenal event, by Spectrum News' Kate Lisa: ”Schumer refused to comment or give an update on federal action as thousands of migrants continue to arrive in New York. "'No off-topics, please,' he said." AROUND NEW YORK — The city is expanding jails in Brooklyn by reducing beds for inmates dealing with mental illness. (Gothamist) — Democrats on New York City Council are pushing a bill to legalize jaywalking. (New York Post) — Staten Island plans to join New Jersey in taking legal action against congestion pricing. (CBS News)   JOIN 7/27 FOR A TALK ON WOMEN LEADERS IN THE NEW WORKPLACE: In the wake of the pandemic, U.S. lawmakers saw a unique opportunity to address the current childcare system, which has become increasingly unaffordable for millions of Americans, but the initial proposals went nowhere. With the launch of the Congressional Bipartisan Affordable Childcare Caucus in May, there may be a path to make childcare more affordable. Join Women Rule on July 27 to dive into this timely topic and more with featured speakers Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Reshma Saujani, Founder & CEO of Moms First and Founder of Girls Who Code. REGISTER HERE.     SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN HAPPY BIRTHDAY: WSJ’s Kim Strassel … Juergen Baetz … CNBC’s Eamon Javers … FT’s Molly Eisner … Matt Joseloff of “Morning Joe” … CBS’ Michelle Kessel … NYT’s Zolan Kanno-Youngs … Magee Quick McBride … Chris Bond … Barbara Morgan … (was Sunday): Monica Lewinsky (5-0) … David Brock … FGS Global’s Craig James and Josh Gross ... Edelman’s Courtney Gray Haupt … Liza Pluto … former Rep. John Hall (D-N.Y.) … Mariane Pearl … Lynn Glasman ... Joey Rault … Stephani Englund … Katherine Borgerding … … (was Saturday): Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) … The Daily Beast’s Sam Brodey … CNN’s Terence Burlij … Annie Lowrey … Warren Bass … Don Van Natta Jr. … Natacha Hildebrand … Peter Prengaman … Reid Cherlin … David Shuster … Dustin Yellin ... Maor Cohen MAKING MOVES — Zach Williams has joined Bloomberg as a legislative correspondent for New York state politics. He was previously the capitol reporter for the New York Post. … Jen Carnig has been promoted to president of Spitfire Strategies. She was previously chief advocacy officer at the firm. Real Estate Demolition begins at site of Newark apartment building explosion, by CBS News’ Elle Mclogan & Alecia Reid: “When neighbors heard a sudden boom, some took off running. Windows were sent flying, leaving shards of glass littered across a parking lot as far as 50 yards away. Witnesses say several people were trapped under the debris.”   A message from Community Offshore Wind: The clean energy transition is about more than just energy. At Community Offshore Wind, our commitment to communities is at the heart of everything we do. With strong roots in New York, we will deliver widespread benefits across the state and infuse $15 billion into the state economy. This includes creating job training programs to support union labor, investing in our youth to build the workforce of tomorrow, offering childcare for employees and trainees, and building an inclusive clean energy future that empowers disadvantaged communities. Community Offshore Wind is committed to localizing the offshore wind supply chain proposing the first-ever made-in-New-York offshore wind turbines. We have a goal of uplifting communities with the power of clean energy for all.     Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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