By Hunter Walker 11/18/12 7:03pm

Aftermath

Scott Stringer (Photo: Getty)

Mayoral Candidates React to Scott Stringer’s Departure From the Race

This evening, the landscape of the 2013 mayoral race was shaken up quite a bit when Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, who was previously seen as a potential contender, announced his intention to run for City Comptroller instead. The other likely mayoral candidates quickly released statements and Politicker also spoke with sources who gave their take on how Mr. Stringer’s departure will impact the rest of the field.  Read More

By Hunter Walker 11/18/12 6:00pm

2013

(Photo: Getty)

Scott Stringer Officially Enters Comptroller Race

After months of rumors, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has officially decided to run for City Comptroller next year. He was previously considering a campaign for mayor, but he said his experience exploring that race convinced him to run for the city’s top financial office. Mr. Stringer spoke to Politicker about his decision earlier today and said he will formally launch his campaign in three weeks. Rather than an avoidance of the crowded mayor’s race, Mr. Stringer characterized his entry into the comptroller race as a move to confront the most crucial issues currently facing the city.

“What’s needed right now is an experienced hand who can partner with the mayor when it’s in the best interests of the city, but also someone with the independence and backbone to stand up to special interests, to call out wasteful spending and to safeguard the city’s pension funds,” said Mr. Stringer. “That is what I’ve done my entire career and that’s what im going to as comptroller, so I’m not dropping down, I’m stepping up.”  Read More

By Colin Campbell 11/16/12 2:25pm

2013

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City Hall Horse Race: Republican Conundrum Edition

It’s time for the latest installment of our weekly scorecard rating how the past seven days treated next year’s likely mayoral candidates. Although most insiders believe Democrats are favored to take back City Hall for the first time in two decades, a lot of the action recently has been on the Republican side of the aisle. Notably, former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión announced his intentions to seek the GOP line, while billionaire John Catsimatidis declared he’d be forming a campaign committee for the party’s nomination himself. And Doe Fund Founder George McDonald is in the mix as well. But, for simplicity’s sake, we’ll wait to see if they’re active on a weekly basis before they’re added to the list. Read More

By Colin Campbell 11/08/12 4:25pm

Bad Romance

(Photo: YouTube)

Hurricane Sandy Helps End Borough Presidents’ Lady Gaga Feud

Hurricane Sandy has apparently brought together a pair of borough presidents who previously clashed over pop sensation Lady Gaga. The last time we saw Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer mentioned in the same breath, they had a tiff over Mr. Molinaro’s claim that Ms. Gaga was “a slut.” Now, they have teamed up for post-Sandy relief work in Staten Island. Read More

By Colin Campbell 10/26/12 2:39pm

2013

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City Hall Horse Race: Jumping the Gun Edition

It’s time for the latest installment of our weekly scorecard rating how next year’s potential mayoral candidates performed in the past seven days. Well, there’s a big election crashing down upon us, and New York’s political scene is abuzz trying to figure out who will win in some of the top congressional and state legislative races. And like a phoenix rising out of the ashes of 2012′s elections, 2013 will immediately take off after this year’s ballots are cast. Or, in the case of Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, you can just start sprinting to the finish line now, lobbing criticisms at Council Speaker Christine Quinn all the while. Read More

By Colin Campbell 10/19/12 1:46pm

2013

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City Hall Horse Race: Marist Mania Edition

It’s time for the latest installment of our weekly scorecard rating how next year’s potential mayoral candidates performed in the past seven days. The most notable development was yesterday’s Marist poll of the 2013 Democratic primary, showing Council Speaker Christine Quinn leading with 23% of Democrats, followed by 2009 nominee Bill Thompson with 15%. Rounding up the rear were Comptroller John Liu at 9%, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio at 8% and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer with 6%. In what may be the most interesting aspect of the poll, 37% of the city’s Democratic electorate is undecided, compared to 29% last time Marist surveyed the race. Read More

By Colin Campbell 10/05/12 12:15pm

2013

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City Hall Horse Race: Chasing Christine Edition

It’s time for the latest installment of our weekly scorecard rating how next year’s potential mayoral candidates performed in the past seven days. This week was relatively busy, with a number of new initiatives rolled out and an increasing amount of posturing to frame the 2013 election. Overall, it seemed like quite the week to pressure the mayoral frontrunner, Council Speaker Christine Quinn–even Girls star Lena Dunham joined the push for Ms. Quinn to allow a vote on the paid sick day legislation she has kept shelved so far! Read More

By Hunter Walker 10/05/12 11:52am

Girl Uninterrupted

Lena Dunham (Photo: Getty)

Lena Dunham Joins Push For Paid Sick Days Bill

Lena Dunham, the star of HBO’s hipster coming-of-age comedy Girls, has already dabbled in film, magazine writing and literature, but she seems to increasingly be adding local political activism to her resume. Last night, Ms. Dunham took to Twitter to express her support for the Paid Sick Days bill, which many politicos believe has been unfairly stalled by Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

“I’m always sick or convinced I’m sick. A flu shouldn’t cost you your job. That’s why I support #paidsickdays U Can 2,” Ms. Dunham wrote before including a link to an online petition asking Ms. Quinn to allow the bill to come to a vote on the floor of the City Council. Read More