| | | | |  | | By Nick Reisman, Emily Ngo and Jeff Coltin | | Presented by |  | | | With Timmy Facciola
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Democrats are trying to flip five House seats in New York and the governor has made it a top political priority to help her party win back control of the chamber. | Adrian Kraus/AP | New York Minute: Mayor Eric Adams raised just $92,500 for his legal defense trust over the third quarter of the year — a slowdown that comes just as the stakes for him and his private attorneys have risen to precipitous heights. But he’s got a big fan in Knicks owner James Dolan. Check out POLITICO’s coverage of the filing which dropped Tuesday night, and more on Congressional fundraising below. GUEST STAR: Gov. Kathy Hochul made herself the face of the Democratic effort in New York to retake the House — and Republicans are happy to oblige. Hochul has a starring role in digital and TV ads released by vulnerable House Republicans and their allies in a bid to fend off well-funded challenges by Democrats across New York. On Long Island, she appears alongside Mayor Eric Adams in a spot meant to boost Rep. Anthony D’Esposito who blames Democrats for crime in the state. In the Syracuse-area race between Democrat John Mannion and Republican Rep. Brandon Williams, the governor is blamed for the influx of migrants into New York state. Her image is even being used in races further down the ballot, as Republican state legislative candidates plaster the governor’s face on their mailers, again knocking her over immigration. The GOP’s use of Hochul as a foil dovetails with public and private surveys that found her deeply unpopular — including with voters in pivotal House seats. Internal Republican polling in September found Hochul’s favorable rating stood at 34 percent on average across seven competitive House districts in the state, according to a New York GOP strategist who was granted anonymity to share the internal data. The same poll found she has an unfavorable rating of 57 percent on average in those battlegrounds. Those results align with a Siena College poll that found Hochul’s unfavorable rating statewide stood at 34 percent, making her less popular than former President Donald Trump. “She is a welcome anchor in every single congressional race,” Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik told Playbook. “Get ready to see Hochul and her failed Democrat policies prominently featured in candidate messaging. Democrat candidates have nowhere to run and hide from Kathy Hochul.” The governor’s campaign declined to comment. Democrats are trying to flip five House seats in New York and the governor has made it a top political priority to help her party win back control of the chamber. With the state vital to her party’s efforts on the national stage, Hochul has marshaled the resources of the state Democratic Committee to help down-ballot candidates. She has also tried to limit problems for Democrats by tackling both affordability and crime. She paused a controversial toll plan for Manhattan, addressed issues like retail theft and touted more money for law enforcement. Hochul has no control over federal immigration policy, but state and city officials have nevertheless been tasked with managing an influx of migrants over the last two years. Earlier this year she was quick to ding House Republicans for opposing a sweeping immigration package. The governor isn’t the only prominent Democrat to unwittingly grace Republican ads: A spot linking Democrat Mondaire Jones to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was deployed by Republican Mike Lawler’s campaign. Hochul’s allies aren't surprised by the effort to link her to Democrats in competitive races, given her prominent role in helping the party. And they think she’s been, on balance, an asset in the push to win. “They have to find someone to be the boogeyman or boogeywoman so what they do is overreach and smear our elected officials,” Erie County Democratic Chair Jeremy Zellner said. — Nick Reisman IT’S WEDNESDAY. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin , Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.
| | A message from Con Edison: Con Edison is breaking ground in Queens on the Idlewild Project, a proactive, critical upgrade to New York's electrical grid. As part of Con Edison’s Clean Energy Commitment, this high-impact $1.2 billion investment will continue our grid modernization efforts and meet growing demand for electricity while delivering more clean, reliable energy to homes, businesses, and major transportation hubs. See how Con Edison is helping to build a clean energy future for all New Yorkers. | | | WHERE’S KATHY? Making a housing announcement in Brooklyn. WHERE’S ERIC? Making a public safety- and health-related announcement, convening a roundtable with NYCHA Resident Council presidents, attending the Children’s Cabinet Fall Convening, appearing on “The Beat 139” podcast and hosting a Gracie Mansion reception celebrating Italian culture. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Anybody would do it. Me, if the police [did] this also, I fight it.“ — Peter Huang, on City Council member Susan Zhuang being charged with biting a cop, via THE CITY. He was one of many supporters who showed up to back her at a routine court hearing Tuesday.
|  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | | 
Josh Riley is locked into one of the most-watched House races in the country. | Heather Ainsworth/AP | DEM$ LEAD: Battleground Dems in key House races recorded another blockbuster fundraising quarter, outraising their GOP rivals by leaps and bounds, the candidates’ campaign finance filings revealed Tuesday. Upstate, Josh Riley, who as Playbook reported raised $2.8 million, had more than twice what Rep. Marc Molinaro, a first-term Republican, reported at $1.2 million. In central New York, John Mannion, who looks to flip the seat held by Rep. Brandon Williams, raised more than $2 million in the past three months compared to Williams’ $940,000. On Long Island, Democrat John Avlon — who like Mannion was rebuilding after a heated primary — reported $2 million in contributions versus Republican Rep. Nick LaLota’s $900,000 raised. Some Democrats also boasted massive campaign war chests: Riley had $2.3 million cash on hand, Laura Gillen on Long Island had $3 million, Rep. Pat Ryan in the Hudson Valley had $2.8 million and Mondaire Jones farther south had $2.3 million. But challengers have to be wary of burning through cash even as they raise a ton. Mannion had only $840,000 banked while Williams had $1.4 million. — Emily Ngo
| | CITY HALL: THE LATEST | | | 
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his team have long asserted the Covid-related criticism is merely a Republican talking point. | Seth Wenig/AP Photo | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: A former campaign strategist for ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo is leading an effort to counter his potential political comeback, POLITICO reports. The group is led by Peter Kauffmann, a longtime communications adviser and operative who worked on two of Cuomo’s campaigns. He also worked on the New York City government’s Covid response under Mayor Bill de Blasio, an enemy of the former governor. A digital ad that is being released this morning lambasts Cuomo’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. The 30-second spot called “The Truth” features images of disgraced former New York politicians: Anthony Weiner, Eliot Spitzer and George Santos. “People look at the situation right now and see a real crisis of leadership,” Kauffmann said in an interview. “We feel very strongly that there should be some accountability for responsible and ethical civic engagement and good governance.” Cuomo and his team have long asserted the Covid-related criticism is merely a Republican talking point. “At a time when government at all levels are facing a crisis in competence and the city itself is still dealing with the migrant situation, along with rising homelessness, anti-Semitism and an affordability fueled exodus, these de Blasio refugees are bear-hugging MAGA lies in some sort of legally dubious dark money exercise while real, actual, crucial elections for the White House and Congress are hitting the home stretch,” Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said. — Nick Reisman NOT GONE YET: Outgoing First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright is sticking around until Nov. 1 as a “transition advisor,” she wrote in a resignation letter that City Hall shared with Playbook Tuesday. In the brief letter dated Friday, Wright says she resigned as first deputy effective Oct. 7 — last Monday — but would stick around for another three weeks “to execute a transition and succession plan.” Wright, who Adams pushed out of the administration after her phone was seized in a federal probe, added that she remains “very proud of the work that we accomplished together.” — Jeff Coltin More from the city: — On his last day as schools chancellor, David Banks vowed to “soar above the storm.” (POLITICO Pro) — Adams says the city will move ahead with eviction of Elizabeth Street Garden. (Gothamist) — Is the mayor’s Mets-Yankees hat good, actually? (GQ) (Playbook says, No. No, it’s not.)
| | | | A message from Con Edison:   | | | | | NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY | | |  Catholic priests and bishops in New York are making a sustained push against the proposed equality amendment. | Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Johnnie Walker | PULPIT POWER: Catholic priests and bishops in New York are making a sustained push against the proposed equality amendment. Democrats initially envisioned the measure, which is designed to bolster LGBTQ+ and abortion rights in the state constitution, as a way of mobilizing voter turnout — especially in swing House seats. But with public knowledge of the amendment believed to be low, any communication could have an impact. That’s where the New York Catholic Conference has stepped in. Priests and bishops are also alerting their parishioners about the proposed amendment as Election Day approaches. “Our bishops did a statement urging Catholics to vote against it, bishops have spoken from the pulpit, it’s finding its way into parishes and into bulletins,” said Dennis Poust, the executive director of the New York Catholic Conference. The Catholic bishops do not necessarily fall along typical partisan lines — the Catholic Conference has spoken out in favor of supporting migrants and has been steadfast in opposition to the death penalty. And the secular opposition from the Committee to Protect Kids-NY and similar organizations has avoided the broader questions over abortion. Instead, that group has argued the measure could lead to unforeseen consequences, such as trans people playing girls’ sports — claims that supporters of the amendment say are false. “All New Yorkers deserve the freedom to control their own lives, futures, and healthcare decisions — including the right to abortion,” said Sasha Ahuja, the campaign director for New Yorkers for Equal Rights. The overwhelming majority of New Yorkers — across faith traditions and geographical lines — support Prop 1 because it protects our fundamental rights and freedoms from being rolled back by those in power.” — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — A federal judge has struck down a portion of the state’s concealed carry law. ( Times Union) — Democrat Chris Ryan wants to replace John Mannion in the state Senate — and the GOP has some criticism. (Post-Standard) — The environmental group Riverkeeper says further cleanup of the Hudson is needed. ( Spectrum News) | | | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | | 
The longtime rivals butted heads with the same venom over border security, the state and local tax deduction, or SALT, and abortion. | Courtesy of News 12 | ON THE OFFENSIVE: Vulnerable Rep. Anthony D’Esposito began attacking Democrat Laura Gillen immediately at their debate Tuesday, seeking to turn the page on the New York Times’ reporting that he had an affair and hired both his lover and his fiancée’s daughter. His hard pivot away from the first question on his alleged nepotism shifted the focus to accusations of ethical lapses by Gillen. And he repeatedly called her a liar. “My hiring practices were done above board, and there was absolutely zero ethics violated in any of my decisions,” the GOP freshman said succinctly before launching into a reading of critical headlines about Gillen from the New York Post, Fox News and Washington Reporter — all right-leaning outlets. “The fact is that Laura Gillen is the one that has spent her tenure in short elected office utilizing patronage and nepotism.” Gillen, the former Hempstead Town supervisor, responded that the Times cited credible sources, including the husband of D’Esposito’s reported lover. “These are very serious allegations that deserve a full investigation by the House Ethics Committee,” she said. D’Esposito and Gillen are locked in a rematch in Nassau County. Their News 12-hosted face-off is their only scheduled debate this cycle. Gillen called the Post’s recent reporting that the contract to renovate the Nassau Coliseum’s surroundings was handed to one of her top donors “a ridiculous, baseless attack.” She responded, “That contract was given out by the Republican-controlled Nassau County Legislature. He sat with me in town hall, and he knows that that contract never came before us and we never voted on it.” The longtime rivals butted heads with the same venom over border security, the state and local tax deduction, or SALT, and abortion. D’Esposito accused Gillen of gaslighting when she said he threatens abortion rights and asked, “How many women dying are you OK with, Anthony D’Esposito?” — Emily Ngo More from the delegation: — Mondaire Jones was elected as a progressive but has since refashioned himself as a moderate — and alienated many of his supporters. (City & State) — Molinaro unwittingly posted an endorsement video from an influencer who has promoted 9/11 conspiracy theories — before deleting the post. (New York Post) — Millions are pouring into the Williams-Mannion race. Where is all that money coming from? (Post-Standard) | | NEW YORK STATE OF MIND | | — New York City will end most of its land purchases in the Catskills, a practice that has angered people in the region. (Times Union) — Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has officially left office to run a regional OTB. ( Spectrum News)
| | A message from Con Edison: Critical electrical grid upgrades are right around the corner in Queens. Con Edison’s Idlewild Project will support New York’s crucial efforts to mitigate climate change by creating two new substations and a new Springfield Electric network. This new infrastructure will deliver more clean, reliable energy to homes, businesses, and major transportation hubs, including JFK International Airport and the MTA’s bus fleet. It will also accelerate electrification and facilitate cleaner air for local residents. See how Con Edison is building a future where every New Yorker can share in the benefits of a safe, reliable, climate-resilient grid. | | | | | SOCIAL DATA | | Edited by Daniel Lippman MEDIAWATCH: Brian Schwartz will be a White House economic policy reporter at the Wall Street Journal. He previously has been a political finance reporter at CNBC. MAKING MOVES: Lauren Symmes Milnes is now a J.D. candidate at UC Berkeley School of Law. She most recently was deputy director of scheduling for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries … Ayesha Khan has joined Volunteers of America-Greater New York as chief development officer. She most recently led the Global Partnerships and Philanthropic Services Team at the International Rescue Committee. OUT & ABOUT: The New York Immigration Coalition hosted its annual gala at Chelsea Piers Tuesday night, where Executive Director Murad Awawdeh joked about having a mayor whose first stop wasn’t always Istanbul. SPOTTED: Adams’ Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Manuel Castro … Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Council Member Alexa Avilés, Linda Lee and Shekar Krishnan … Queens BP Donovan Richards … Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, Jessica González-Rojas, Marcela Mitaynes, Tony Simone, Yudelka Tapia and Steven Raga. WEEKEND WEDDING: Reade Pickert, an editor/deputy team leader of the Federal Reserve team at Bloomberg News, and Will Carbaugh, project manager at Hoar Construction, married in Charlottesville, Va. on Saturday. They attended college there and met in 2015. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Axle PR’s Marcos Masri … Vibrant Emotional Health’s Avi Fink … former state Sen. John DeFrancisco … Hochul Dep Sec Dan Gross … Lime’s Jacob Tugendrajch … Nico Minerva … Mark43’s Devora Kaye … Larry Moskowitz … UNHCR’s Christian Romero … Sarah Bedford of the Washington Examiner … Jim Courtovich … Alex Macfarlane of SKDK … former SEC Chair Christopher Cox … Foreign Policy’s Ravi Agrawal … Keely Weiss … Brendan Greeley … Beatrice Peterson … Kate Terranova … (WAS TUESDAY): Stanley Fischer ... Mitchell (Moyshe) Allen Silk Missed Tuesday’s New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.
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