Lawler opens new rift over Israel with Jones

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Oct 25, 2024 View in browser   By Emily Ngo, Nick Reisman and Jeff Coltin Presented by  With Timmy Facciola Mondaire Jones did not answer directly at Wednesday's debate when asked if he stands by his earlier advocacy for borders that would impact Israeli settlements. | Courtesy of News 12 NEW YORK MINUTE: Early voting kicks off Saturday, with New Yorkers able to cast their votes in-person on candidates and ballot proposals for the next nine days. MIDEAST BORDER CLASH: Rep. Mike Lawler is seizing on Mondaire Jones’ recent remarks on Israel’s borders in the final stretch of a tight race that could be decided by Jewish voters. The vulnerable Republican’s campaign fired off a text message to voters Thursday highlighting his Dem challenger’s hedging at a debate over whether Israel should return to its 1967 borders. It used the URL mondairehatesisrael.com to redirect traffic to a clip of the heated exchange. Lawler also slammed Jones in a Newsmax interview and on X. “Mondaire Jones’ comments about Israel in last night’s debate were disqualifying,” Lawler posted. “Why on earth should Israel return to its pre-1967 borders and cede land to Hamas?!?” It’s only the latest salvo in the nasty race as the candidates, who both say they’re staunch supporters of Israel, go round for round over policies impacting the Jewish state and attempt to sway Jewish New Yorkers. They’ve previously locked horns over how they voted on funding for Israel and the Iron Dome. Lawler’s attacks are reflective of the Hudson Valley district’s pro-Israel population, including a sizable Orthodox Jewish community — as well as how close the election’s margins are. His campaign says it has knocked on hundreds of thousands of doors, including those of tens of thousands of Jewish voters, and has reached out via text, mail and digital. A Lawler ad titled “Standing with Israel” lists how he supports the Jewish state, including amid harassment of Jewish college students. Jones’ campaign says it’s spent hundreds of thousands of dollars communicating directly with Jewish voters as well. It has launched three ads to reach them across streaming and digital, including “Quibble,” which focuses on Lawler’s defense of Donald Trump saying that Jewish voters would bear some blame if he were to lose. At Wednesday’s debate, Jones was asked if he stands by his earlier advocacy for borders that would impact Israeli settlements. He didn’t directly answer. “I stand with Israelis and Palestinians who want to see a lasting peace and security in the region that includes a two-state solution,” Jones said. “Part of that has to involve some kind of land swap that is negotiated in the form of diplomacy.” Lawler pounced, “You are calling for a negotiated settlement and land swaps? Are you out of your mind?” Jones’ campaign manager Shannon Geison on Thursday sought to add more context to her candidate’s response. “As Mondaire has repeatedly made clear, including during the CBS News debate, Hamas must first be defeated and the hostages returned before there is to be any hope of a two-state solution,” Geison said. “Before the October 7 attacks, every serious conversation about building a lasting peace in the Middle East included discussions between Israelis and Palestinians about borders.” — Emily Ngo HAPPY FRIDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.   A message from Uber: New York City Uber riders pay $700 Million in taxes and fees annually* That’s more than the entire budget for New York City Parks Department. *Based on trips originating from NYC in 2023. Learn more.   WHERE’S KATHY? Making an announcement with first responders in Catskill. WHERE’S ERIC? Delivering remarks at a flag-raising ceremony for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and honoring first responders deployed to hurricane-affected areas. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Don’t ask me what the governor thinks. I think for me.” — Ingrid Lewis-Martin, chief adviser to Mayor Eric Adams, told POLITICO. ABOVE THE FOLD “We’re willing to talk about these issues where a lot of Democrats are sticking their heads in the sand or not talking to community groups about what they’re feeling,” Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester-area Democrat, told Playbook. | Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul CRIME TIME: Democrat Jeremy Cooney doesn’t want to be caught off guard on crime. The third-term state senator is touting his endorsements from law enforcement groups and telling voters he wants to further scale back the state’s controversial law that limits cash bail. Two years after Republicans effectively wielded public safety concerns in statewide elections, some Democratic candidates in competitive legislative races are extolling a tougher approach on crime and highlighting the support they’re getting from law enforcement. “We’re willing to talk about these issues where a lot of Democrats are sticking their heads in the sand or not talking to community groups about what they’re feeling,” Cooney, a Rochester-area Democrat, told Playbook. The strategy comes with the tacit acknowledgement that even if statistics show crime is down statewide voters do not necessarily feel safer. “We’ve seen all these numbers trend down, but it’s been a reality for the last couple of years in many communities,” Cooney said. Cooney is being challenged by Jim VanBrederode, a former suburban police chief who’s running on the campaign slogan “send a cop to Albany.” To counter the GOP messaging, the Democrat has rolled out a series of police union endorsements and pointed to a bill he’s proposed that would make car thefts a bail-eligible offense in order to address an ongoing problem in the Rochester area. Other Dems are taking a similar approach. Democratic state Senate candidate Pat Fahy this week highlighted an endorsement from Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple — a nod that follows her Republican opponent Ted Danz’s tying her to the bail law in a TV ad. Brooklyn state Sen. Iwen Chu – “the law-and-order candidate,” according to her campaign – rolled out a batch of law enforcement nods including from the New York City Police Benevolent Association, the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association and the New York City Correctional Officers Benevolent Association. These Democrats are indirectly following the lead of Gov. Kathy Hochul, who faced a competitive campaign after Republican Lee Zeldin hammered the crime issue. Hochul has been eager to trumpet her boosted funding for the State Police (message: I’m not defunding the cops) and efforts to tackle gun violence. Democrats are not in danger of losing their majorities in the state Assembly or Senate this year. But Republicans believe they have opportunities to crawl out of irrelevance in Albany by continuing to raise public safety. GOP lawmakers and strategists expect the crime issue to remain potent for voters even as the migrant crisis and cost-of-living concerns have been listed as higher priorities in recent polls. Republican Sen. George Borrello, who’s leading the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, belittled Democrats for trying to talk tough. He doesn’t expect voters will be persuaded. “It is truly appalling to watch pro-criminal Democrats try to fool voters into thinking they are all of a sudden pro-law enforcement,” he said. “Their voting records speak for themselves — they continue to put criminals above victims and law enforcement.” But Democrats aren’t yielding any ground. “It is offensive that George Borello is attacking the judgment of these law enforcement agencies simply because they disagree with him and his conference,” Senate Democrats’ spokesperson Mike Murphy said. “I guess Republican support for law enforcement is only in exchange for political support.” — Nick Reisman CITY HALL: THE LATEST Former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigned last month. | Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office BLUE BUNDLER: Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign has resisted calls from city regulators to disclose exactly who is helping raise money for his reelection effort — until now. Adams’ campaign is amending its financial filings to report that an NYPD official close to former Commissioner Edward Caban collected $2,500 in donations from ten coworkers — marking the first time Team Adams has disclosed a so-called bundler in response to flags from the city’s Campaign Finance Board this election cycle. The fix was a rare admission that Adams uses more intermediaries to fundraise than the handful it has previously disclosed. The response to the board comes at a time when Adams’ access to more than $4 million in public matching funds is on the line. Gui An Lin, an assistant commissioner in the New York Police Department’s Liaison Unit, collected $250 contributions from 10 fellow NYPD employees on June 30 and then gave them to the mayor’s reelection campaign. Read more from POLITICO’s Jeff Coltin and Joe Anuta about who Lin is, and who else has bundled for Adams. More from the city: — The power struggle between Adams and the City Council reaches Albany. (City & State) — Newly proposed multifamily construction in the city is underperforming historical averages as politicians look for ways to combat a housing shortage. (POLITICO Pro) — Even an unpopular, indicted mayor couldn’t rain on the New York Liberty’s parade Thursday. (Hell Gate)   A message from Uber:   NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY “This decision is another victory in our effort to protect all New Yorkers from the scourge of gun violence,” Attorney General Tish James said. | Hans Pennink/AP CONCEAL CONCERNS: As Democratic House candidates in swing seats focus on gun violence, key portions of the state’s concealed carry law were upheld Thursday in federal court. The decision by the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit kept in place the ban on concealed carry firearms in “sensitive places” with the exception of houses of worship and the provision that private property owners can prohibit guns by posting a sign. The ruling also upheld that concealed carry permit holders demonstrate “good moral character” and list the names of household and family members on their permit application. “This decision is another victory in our effort to protect all New Yorkers from the scourge of gun violence,” Attorney General Letitia James said. “After repeated attempts to weaken our gun safety regulations, once again we have prevailed.” Gun Owners of America, the firearms advocacy organization that sued over the law, knocked the decision. “The Second Circuit got it wrong the first time, SCOTUS told them so and said try again, and this nearly identical ruling is a slap in the face to the Justices and every gun owner across New York,” said Erich Pratt, the organization’s vice president. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — State lawmakers have proposed a measure that would curtail Adams’ powers. (Fox 5) — Managers for the state’s cannabis fund earned $1.7 million despite its disastrous rollout. ( THE CITY) — Upstate farmers are worried about potential mass deportations under a new Trump administration. (Spectrum News) KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION Rep. Nick LaLota has repeatedly argued Avlon wants to “allow boys in girl sports” for backing Prop 1, which would codify legal protections based on gender. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images GIRLS GUY: Rep. Nick LaLota has a funny way of showing support for women’s sports. John Avlon, his opponent in a Long Island congressional race, knocked him for his social media silence on the New York Liberty’s world championship — despite LaLota calling himself a “proud Girl Dad” and defender of girls’ sports in his campaign. LaLota has repeatedly argued Avlon wants to “allow boys in girl sports” for backing Prop 1, which would codify legal protections based on gender. “If abortion-ban backing Nick LaLota really cared about women’s sports he would have found time to praise the only New York professional basketball team to win a title here in 50 years — the New York Liberty,” Avlon said in a statement. “But he didn’t — and instead fear mongers to distort the intent of the NY ERA and doubles down on cruelty and division against a vulnerable fraction of our population — when there’s no evidence that this is an actual issue in Suffolk County. Go Liberty!” LaLota’s campaign declined to comment. — Jeff Coltin More from Congress: — After redistricting, central New York Rep. Brandon Williams is the only House Republican whose race is considered “lean Democrat.” ( New York Times) — Rep. Anthony D’Esposito said he would oppose renewing the Trump tax cuts unless Congress restores the state and local tax deduction. (New York Post) — Controlling immigration and the SALT cap are keys to the Nassau County and Queens race between Rep. Tom Suozzi and Mike LiPetri. (Queens Chronicle) NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — Violence has surged in juvenile jails after the Raise the Age law brought an influx of older teenagers. (New York Times) — Trans rights advocates won a settlement for new training and policing in a small upstate community following a lawsuit. ( City & State) — A blind woman dismissed from jury duty after requesting accommodations is suing the state courts. (LoHud)   A message from Uber: Ever thought about what it’s like to drive for Uber in New York? Uber Drivers earn $32 per hour.* And that’s before incentives and tips They also get benefits including dental insurance, vision coverage, mental health support, and workers’ compensation through the Black Car Fund and Driver Benefits Fund. *Average earnings per online hour from January - July 2024 based on trips originating from NYC Learn more.   SOCIAL DATA Edited by Daniel Lippman HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Hamilton Campaign Network’s Scott Berlin … former Schools Chancellor Joel Klein … Geto & de Milly’s Gregory Palmer ... CBS’ Jan Crawford … Louis Burgdorf … Emily Prosser of Senate Banking GOP … Gary Regenstreif Missed Thursday’s New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. 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