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2013
Wright Hires Darrison
Jan 27th - 2:41 pm
This actually popped up in my in-box yesterday, but I was up to my eyeballs in redistricting maps and unable to get to it…Assemblyman Keith Wright has signed on with fundraiser Cindy Darrison for the 2012 election cycle.
I received an email from Darrison announcing a fundraiser for Wright 2012 at the Victory Cafe in Albany next Monday night (which is, for the record, a legislative session night; reformers have been pushing for years to ban political fundraisers from being held on session nights, but to no avail).
Wright is one of a number of Manhattan Democrats jockeying for position in case Rep. Charlie Rangel might finally decide to retire. (Not this year, so far, but there’s time yet; let’s see what his district looks like when LATFOR gets done with it).
As chairman of the Manhattan Democratic Party, he’s also believed to have something of a leg up – particularly if Rangel retires mid-term, sparking a special election in which the party leaders, not the voters, would select the nominee. There is some concern among Bronx Democrats that they’ll end up getting the short end of the stick in the redistricting process, providing key voters to keep NY-15 a “black” district, but not getting a commensurate say in the district’s weighted vote.
Darrison told me in an email yesterday that Wright is focused on his re-election campaign. “We are thrilled to be working with Keith,” she said. “He’s just so solid!”
Wright hasn’t done much fundraising to speak of lately. According to his Jan. 15 filing with the state Board of Elections, he raised nothing over the past six months and has $49,642 on hand. He has started a “Wright 2012″ campaign committee, but so far it hasn’t filed any reports.
Darrison is a veteran Democratic fundraiser. Her past client list includes former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, former Gov. David Paterson and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Her current list includes Sen. Dan Squadron, a Brooklyn Democrat who has $134,944 in an unspecified campaign committee (he might run for citywide office in NYC in 2013), and $125,875 in his Senate account.
Darrison is also working with Assemblyman Micah Kellner, an Upper East Side Democrat who has $166,513 on hand in his campaign committee as of Jan. 15.
Adams Will Move To Avoid Primary With Montgomery
Jan 26th - 5:04 pm
Sen. Eric Adams, one of six Democrats thrust into primary contests with their colleagues under the Senate GOP’s redistricting plan, told me this afternoon that he will gladly move to avoid being forced into a head-to-head fight with a more senior lawmaker, Sen. Velmanette Montgomery.
“I’m known well enough in Brooklyn that if I have to move within my district, it is what it is,” the Brooklyn lawmaker said. “I’m sure the people who purchase my co-op would enjoy (Montgomery) as a senator.”
Montgomery was elected in 1984, Adams in 2007.
In a move reminiscent of the one that redistricted Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries out of the Brooklyn district in which he lived back in 2002 – landing him a star turn in that cult classic, “Gerrymandering” – the Republicans bumped Adams right out of the 20th SD, making a little dip right at the neck joint of this goose-like new distrtict.
(NOTE: Gatemouth reminds me that the assemblyman representing Jeffries’ district in 2002 was Roger Green. Jeffries had unsuccessfully challenged Green in a primary in 2000 and maintained the district was subsequently changed as retaliation and to prevent him from running again. He lost again to Green in 2002 and did not arrive in Albany himself until 2006. Mea culpa).
Adams lives right in that little hole where Washington Avenue meets Prospect Place. (Enlarge the map and look closely; it’s easy to miss).
“Look at the long neck on that animal they drew in my district,” Adams said with a laugh. “That one dip is just really obvious. I think it’s about holding onto power any way (the Republicans) can. If you have people running against each other or confusing the process, then they believe you can’t pay attention to the real goal, and that’s regaining the majority. This is all about throwing confusion into the game.”
It’s nice that Adams can maintain his sense of humor about this. Then again, since he might have his eye on something else entirely – say, the Brooklyn borough president race in 2013 – then perhaps he’s not long for the Senate anyway.
Coffey Recruited To Challenge Astorino, Doesn’t 100% Rule It Out
Jan 19th - 5:15 pm
Sean Coffey, who largely self-funded an unsuccessful bid for state attorney general in 2010, has been approached to challenge Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino when the incumbent Republican comes up for re-election in 2013.
During a brief telephone interview this afternoon, Coffey confirmed “there have been folks who approached me,” but denied to say who. He also said he has “no plans to re-enter politics at this point,” and later reiterated that sentiment, tacking on the qualifier “at the present time.”
Coffey was a political newcomer in 2010, but he clearly has learned that old standby of never saying never – because, hey, you never know.
“I relished the campaign in 2010 and really enjoyed the experience,” he said. “But that was a unique set of circumstances. It was the right job…At this point, I’m not thinking og another office, I’m thinking of building my new business.”
Coffey would be a serious contender for local office in his home county, having raised his name recognition significantly during the AG’s race by dropping $6.85 million, most of which was his own money. He finished a distant third behind Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice (who has been raising money like crazy of late, and is speculated to be eyeing another run for higher office) and the primary winner and current AG, Eric Schneiderman.
In the meantime, Coffey said he’s focused on setting up a venture capital firm, BlackRobe Capital Partners, and on “creating jobs.”
Sources tell Nick Reisman that Democratic support seems to be gathering behind Assemblywoman Amy Paulin as a potential challenger to Astorino, (the $428,732 she has on hand in her campaign account doesn’t hurt), although Westchester County Board Chairman Ken Jenkins has also been mentioned as a possible contender.
Since former Erie County Executive Chris Collins was ousted last November by Democrat Mark Poloncarz, Astorino has been viewed as a possible statewide contender in 2014 – perhaps even as a challenger to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Astorino has been critical of Cuomo lately, particularly when it comes to the rebuilding of the Tappan Zee Bridge.
Interestingly, Astorino was not invited to Cuomo’s budget presentation in Yonkers yesterday, according to the county executive’s spokeswoman Jessica Proud.
Carrion Leaves Obama Admin, Heads To Private Sector
Jan 10th - 2:47 pm
Former Bronx BP Adolfo Carrion is leaving the Obama administration, clearing the way for his potential return to electoral politics.
In an email to friends and colleagues today, Carrion announced he’ll depart his current HUD post on Feb. 10 to launch Metro Futures LLC, which he described as “an entity that will be dedicated toadvancing investment in infrastructure, housing, and smart metropolitan growth.” He also said he’ll be continuing his “political activism” and helping President Obama’s re-election bid.
Carrion was raising campaign cash for a potential run in 2009 for NYC mayor, but then dropped down to the comptroller’s race to avoid a head-on collision with then-NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson.
At the time, Carrion wanted to be the city’s first Latino mayor, and Thompson was gunning to be the second black mayor since David Dinkins. Having both of them on the ballot would have diluted the minority vote and raised racial tension between two powerful voting blocs.
As it turned out, Thompson easily secured the Democratic nod after easily defeated then-NYC Councilman (now Senator) Tony Avella in the primary. He went on to lose a closer-than-expected race to Mayor Bloomberg, who forced a term limits extension through the Council so he could seek four more years in office.
Carrion ended up not running for comptroller, opting instead to become director of the newly created White House Office of Urban Affairs with the White House Domestic Policy Council. In May 2010, the president subsequently named him regional director for HUD’s New York and New Jersey Regional Office.
In December, Carrion was fined $10,000 by NYC’s Conflicts of Interest Board for getting an architect who had benefited from his actions as borough president to work on a personal project for him. This took place back in 2006-07, and was widely viewed as the reason Carrion abruptly had a change of heart about deparing NYC politics for D.C. His federal background check and security clearance took quite a while, if I remember correctly.
That $10,000 is just a fraction of the more than $1 million Carrion still has in his NYC campaign committee. Carrion reportedly is now reconsidering a run for comptroller in 2013.
According to a Bronx Democratic source, the fundraising troubles of the current comptroller, John Liu, may have hastened Carrion’s departure from the public payroll. He could not remain a federal employee and also raise campaign cash.
De Blasio Hires D.C. Hand
Jan 3rd - 5:44 pm
NYC Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, who is one of a handful of Democrats gearing up for a 2013 mayoral run, has hired a veteran D.C. operative to serve as his new communications director.
Gabby Adler has come on board with de Blasio to replace Matt Wing, who departed in September and joined Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s press office about a month later.
Adler most recently served as the communications director for the Democratic side of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
She previously served as the DCCC’s midwestern regional press secretary during the 2010 campaign cycle.
Prior to joining the DCCC, Adler worked as Iowa Rep. Dave Loebsack’s spokeswoman, and did a stint on Sen. John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign.
Adler is a Los Angeles, CA native, but this isn’t the first time she’s worked in New York. In 2006, she handled press for then-Nassau County Legislator Dave Mejias’ failed challenge to GOP Rep. Pete King.
De Blasio has longstanding ties to the national Democratic Party. He worked in the Clinton administration (at HUD, which was run by Gov. Andrew Cuomo) and also served as the campaign manager for Hillary Clinton’s first successful US Senate run in 2000.
Minus One 2013 Candidate In NYC, Floyd Won’t Run (Updated)
Dec 13th - 5:13 pm
Here’s an unusual turn of events, Teamsters President Greg Floyd, who surprised the NYC political world when he filed paperwork for a 2013 mayoral run back in September, just informed me during a CapTon interview that he has decided to pull his hat out of the ring.
Six weeks ago I made a decision, along with my executive board, we had a discussion, that I would not be running for any public office in New York City,” Floyd told me.
“And I’ve since ceased any campaign finance raising. I just didn’t make a big deal out of it. I see the headlines and everything, but I’m telling you – you’re the first person to publicly ask me that question – and I’m telling you I am not going to be a candidate for any city office in 2013.”
This was something of a shock, particularly since it was only yesterday that Floyd started running a radio ad down in NYC that slammed Comptroller John Liu – widely viewed as a strong 2013 mayoral contender until his fundraising became the focus of several investigations – for his plan to merge NYC’s pension funds. I asked Floyd about that, and he replied:
“What this is about is my responsibility to the New York City pension funds, and I see John Liu is not coming up with a viable plan. Because he made this announcement on the 27th of October and to this day he still doesn’t have a concrete plan of how this is going to work and what’s he plans to do. He keeps saying, well, I’m trying to iron out the details.”
“If you have a press conference of that magnitude you would think you would have everything in order. So my question would be: How much of this is political on his end to try to throw someone off the trail of what he’s facing.”
Floyd insisted that he is not throwing in the towel due to a lack of viability, insisting that he actually received pledges for some $100,000 worth of campaign contributions. (Not too shabby, but a far cry from the $4 million frontrunner NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn has raised).
Floyd also said he realized he is “needed in the labor field,” adding:
“You look at what’s going on with Occupy Wall Street if you become mayor, you can’t advocate the way you’re advocating now for people who work for a living. I think I’m needed right here as a labor leader in New York City, and I’ll leave the politics to other people. I’d rather be on this side and be an advocate than be a political leader in this day and age. And I think at this time I’m suited for what I’m doing.”
UPDATE: City&State reminds us…Floyd is a Nassau County resident. Just sayin.
UPDATE2: Election Law attorney Jerry Goldfeder writes: “One is required to be a resident of New York City on the day one is elected mayor. Just sayin’.” So, perhaps a lack of interest in relocating had something to do with it, too.
Floyd vs Liu, Round I
Dec 12th - 12:45 pm
Teamsters President Greg Floyd is firing the first negative shot of the 2013 NYC mayor’s race, firing at the man who’s arguably the weakest member of the field – or the biggest target, depending on your view – NYC Comptroller John Liu.
Floyd, who’s a longshot himself, released a radio ad teeing off on Liu for his plan to merge the city’s five pension funds – a proposal the labor leader was for before he was against, although he’s not the only member of the labor community now saying they didn’t get enough input into the idea and weren’t sufficiently briefed on it before the rollout.
Azi Paybarah notes this spot, first reported this morning by City & State, was produced by Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf’s shop. Sheinkopf and Liu’s consultant, George Arzt, have a long-standing rivalry.
The ad strikes me as a bit of a kick-him-while-he’s-down hit. Since all the stories about Liu’s fundraising troubles, the comptroller – a strong fundraiser with a good backstory who was once viewed as a significant 2013 contender – has now been relegated to the back burner, if he’s still even on the stove at all.
You can listen to the ad, which is running all week on morning and evening drives on WCBS and 1010 Wins, below:
Here’s the script:
“You’ve probably heard an awful lot about New York City Comptroller John Liu and his affairs.
The scandal. The indictment and arrest of his fundraiser. The federal investigation of his campaign. Now we learn that John Liu has a plan to deliver your tax dollars, with limited oversight, to Wall Street bankers.
Liu’s plan would let Wall Street bankers control 150 billion of tax payer funds, New York’s pension and retirement accounts. Wall Street. Yes. The same gang many believe responsible for the worst economics locally and nationally since the great depression.
The comptroller is elected by the people to watch our money. But Liu wants to give that job to people you’ve never met and might not trust. Why is John Liu doing this? Liu said because the city will make money. But Liu’s chief deputy said point blank his boss was just plain wrong. John Liu. He’s all wrong. Remember that Liu wants to give Wall Street bankers your money. On top of everything else.”
Paid for by Local 237 Teamsters, Gregory Floyd President
Schumer: Cut Or Die Trying
Nov 22nd - 3:46 pm
Sen. Chuck Schumer, who (correctly) predicted weeks ago that the supercommittee would fail, told reporters at an Albany event earlier today that Congress is now going to have to get over its partisan games or face automatic massive cuts to defense and domestic government programs – neither of which is 100 percent palatable to either side of the aisle.
Thankfully, Schumer said, the cuts don’t take effect until January 2013, which gives lawmakers plenty of time to get their collective act together.
“Well, look, I had hoped that the supercommittee could have reached an agreement,” said Schumer, although that seems to run counter to his comments on Nov. 7 when he said failure was all but certain, and the Republicans would be to blame. “But I think we’ve got to keep at it because our deficit problem is a very serious problem.”
“We’re like a blindfolded man walking towards a cliff. And if we keep walking in that direction we’re going to fall off the cliff, the financial cliff. Some will say the cliff is only 500 feet away. Some will say it’s five miles away, but no one can deny if we keep walking that way we fall fall off the cliff. So, we have to do something. Now, the only good news is the sequestration cuts, which are quite severe, don’t take effect for a year. And I would hope that Democrats and Republicans can come out of corners, come into the middle and come up with an agreement within the next year before that sequestration takes effect.”
But this whole situation sort of begs the question: If Congress needs the impending threat of a deadline for cuts to put aside partisan differences and make hard decisions, then why didn’t the legislation that created the supercommittee following the debt ceiling debacle move the threat of cuts up a year? Curious.
Collins GOTV: A ‘Handful’ Could Decide Election
Nov 8th - 10:28 am
Erie County Executive Chris Collins sent out a “I’m-in-the-fight-of-my-life” notice to supporters this morning, saying what we all know at this point: his race against Democrat Mark Poloncarz is a dead heat.
From the letter:
You may have heard that the race for Erie County Executive is close, and your vote is critically important in determining whether or not we continue on the path of prosperity for four more years, or, return to the dark days of the Red/Green budget crisis. We are not taking a single vote for granted. Your support is very important, and I humbly and respectfully ask for your vote today. A handful of votes could make or break this election.
Liz sat down with Collins’s biggest supporter, Erie County Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy, who said he was confident the race would go the incumbent’s way. But he denied the notion that his party decided to not run down-ballot candidates in Buffalo out of concern competitive races would drive up Democratic turnout.
Poloncarz, the current county comptroller, received some last-minute help in the form of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who took a trip out to western New York to stump for the Democratic hopeful.
Cuomo probably wouldn’t mind seeing Collins, who is believed to have designs on running for governor in 2014, go down in defeat today. The reverse, of course, is if Collins wins, he can claim an early victory by extension against the popular governor.
The full letter is after the jump. More >
NYC Mayoral Candidate Allon Hits Airwaves (Very Early)
Nov 7th - 3:20 pm
Newspaper publisher Tom Allon’s candidacy for mayor of NYC in 2013 hasn’t been taken terribly seriously up to this point – probably a function of the fact that he’s 1) not a politician – something that could be considered an asset, not nearly as rich as the last apolitical businessman who successfully took the plunge into Big Apple politics, Mayor Bloomberg.
Allon is looking to change that perception with a new TV ad – the first of the still-very-far-away election – that will run tomorrow exclusively on our sister station, NY1. The ad blasts the lack of voter choice in most elections, slams “career politicians,” and touts the fact that Allon, who is also a former teacher, is independent of the established political system.
“New Yorkers should be out voting today,” Allon said in a statement that accompanied a link to his ad. (I assume that by “today” he actually means “tomorrow”).
“But instead of having open and democratic elections like editorial boards and good government groups across the city demanded, the Republican and Democratic bosses once again orchestrated special elections to keep independent, reform-minded, and third-party candidates out of office.”
“As Mayor of the City of New York, I will make electoral reform and good government top priorities of my administration. If the people don’t have real choice on Election Day, our whole system of government is a sham.”
The ad features a few generic newspaper headlines highlighting the downsides of politics like “Mayoral Frontrunner Investigated” and “Politician Arrested” And then there’s this: “Slush Fund Scandal.” That’s clearly a dig at the perceived current frontrunner, NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who presided over that particular mess, which continues to bedevil Council members.
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