New York Post Editor Defends Weiner Puns on Australian TV
Rubén Díaz Thinks Jeff Klein Is 'Eating All the Candies'
Principals’ Union Endorses Bill Thompson
The Council of School Supervisors and Administrators endorsed Bill Thompson today, adding a major education union to his labor tally one day before the influential United Federation of Teachers is set to make its pick.
The union, representing nearly 16,000 public school principals and education administrators, said Mr. Thompson’s commitment to appointing an educator as schools chancellor, as well as his belief that New York City should be a more affordable place for the middle class, led members of the executive committee to vote to back him. Read More
Morning Read: ‘Addiction Runs Deep’
Headline of the Day: “Christine Quinn acknowledges she has opponents, in a speech attacking them.”
Brooklyn Council candidate Igor Oberman has another labor endorsement to add onto his growing pile: the Hotel Trades Council, a relatively small union touted for its effective organizing abilities. In announcing his support for Mr. Oberman today, HTC’s political director Josh Gold said, “Igor has shown that he has a plan to grow the economy in his community, ensuring that our members thrive in his district and throughout New York. That’s why we are excited to not only endorse Igor, but work hard on his campaign this summer.” Read More
What’s Behind Christine Quinn’s Negative Turn?
Christine Quinn’s speech on Monday morning marked a turning point for the City Council Speaker as she struggles to maintain her status as the mayoral race’s decisive front-runner in the face of lagging poll numbers and former Congressman Anthony Weiner’s headline-hogging jump into the race. Read More
Mayor Bloomberg Says UFT’s Endorsement Is a ‘Kiss of Death’
The battle between Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the powerful teachers’ union entered a ghoulish new phase on Monday, as the mayor equated the union’s coveted endorsement to the “kiss of death,” and the union slammed a nod from Mr. Bloomberg as worse than a zombie attack.
The Democratic candidates for mayor have been courting the United Federation of Teachers and the union’s president, Michael Mulgrew, for months, but Mr. Bloomberg said this afternoon he thinks they’re making a grave electoral mistake.
“It’s almost a kiss of death,” the mayor said of the union’s coveted endorsement, which Mr. Mulgrew believes will be decisive in the race. “I don’t know what goes through voters’ minds, but maybe they understand if the UFT wants it, it ain’t good and you don’t want that person.” Read More
Indicted Assemblyman Will Lose Minority Caucus Executive Post
Indicted Assemblyman Eric Stevenson will today lose his executive post with the Assembly’s Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus, multiple sources told Politicker.
Mr. Stevenson, arrested in April for allegedly accepting $20,000 in bribes to steer legislation, is not seeking re-election as second vice president of the caucus. He must submit a letter of resignation to officially quit the caucus altogether, however. Read More
Congressional Duo Endorses Insurgent Brooklyn DA Candidate
Congress members Hakeem Jeffries and Yvette Clarke today endorsed Ken Thompson in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s race, lending two big names to Mr. Thompson’s challenge against the long-time incumbent, Charles Hynes.
“We need new leadership in the Brooklyn DA’s office that will take on tough cases and not run the other way,” Mr. Thompson, an attorney, said at a Brooklyn Borough Hall press conference this afternoon.
“We clearly need new leadership that’s based on a DA that is tough but fair, that will fight for justice,” he added, likely referencing various controversies Mr. Hynes’s office has faced handling certain criminal cases. “As Brooklyn DA, I will not only fight against crime or corruption, wherever it exists, I will make sure that every case is investigated and prosecuted with integrity so that justice prevails.” Read More
Anthony Weiner Attacks ‘Lord Governor’ Joe Lhota
Anthony Weiner took his first major shot at Republican Joe Lhota on Sunday, saying the former MTA chair should have worked harder to give the city more control of its state-run transit system before stepping down to run for mayor.
“For too long the MTA has been here in New York City, but we have very little control over it,” Mr. Weiner said at a Park Slope street fair, when a voter asked him what he would do to curb rising fares. “There’s no accountability now. And we have to push back and we have to try to get some control.” Read More
Christine Quinn Goes Into Attack Mode as She Vows to Run City Like ‘The Boss’
Some candidates revere former mayors and presidents as their political inspiration. But for Christine Quinn, it’s all about Bruce Springsteen.
The City Council speaker and mayoral candidate delivered a scathing speech against her rivals Monday morning, touting her record and vowing to run the city in the model of her musical idol, “The Boss.” Read More
