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2013

By David Freedlander 5/08 4:55pm

2013

hikind

Hikind Clarifies, Says Bill Thompson Is No Lock For Orthodox Vote

Earlier this week, Sally Goldenberg of The New York Post had an interesting article describing how former Democratic mayoral nominee Bill Thompson is making inroads in the politically powerful Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn.

The inroads were noteworthy because, as Ms. Goldenberg notes, much of that vote is expected to go to Scott Stringer, who is the only Jewish candidate in the field, and because Bill de Blasio is a Brooklyn native with strong ties to Jewish areas in the borough.

The article quotes Democratic powerbroker and Assemblyman Dov Hikind saying “Thompson’s definitely a favorite in the Jewish community, no question about it.” Read More

By David Freedlander 5/02 1:45pm

2013

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GOP Brass Prefer Catsimatidis Over Kelly, Eyes Comptroller

New York’s five Republican Party chairman have put out a most unusual statement this afternoon about the 2013 mayoral race.

In it, they reveal a dinner they shared last night, and  they sound intrigued by the possibility of longshot Democratic candidate Tom Allon running on their line, calling him “without question the most moderate, pro-business candidate in the Democratic field” but don’t sound as keen on Ray Kelly, who the city’s tabloids have been pumping to run for the office. Read More

By Colin Campbell 5/01 7:54am

2013

Jenny Hou (Photo: Facebook)

Jenny Hou’s Lawyer Declares Her Innocence at John Liu Rally [Video]

At Comptroller John Liu’s rally for support last night, today’s hearing in federal court for his former campaign treasurer, Jenny Hou, loomed large. The lawyer for Ms. Hou, accused of helping orchestrate an illegal straw donor scheme on Mr. Liu’s behalf, directly addressed the charges in a speech from the pulpit.

He began by declaring her life story to be the product of the American Dream, saying, “She’s a young girl who’s 25 years old, who came to this country because her parents sought a life in a country where hard work and opportunity would be available to their children.” Read More

By David Freedlander 4/19 2:35pm

2013

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Why Ray Kelly Won’t Be The Next Mayor

The call for Ray Kelly to turn in his badge, and start shaking hands and kissing babies in advance of a potential 2013 mayoral run are growing louder. Last night State GOP chairman Ed Cox called for him to make a run; today, The Post (which has unabashedly been pushing this story) reported that the city’s billionaires, including Ken Langone and Hank Greenberg have climbed aboard too.

And Mr. Kelly may end up making a run. Fears of crime and terrorism are real, and they rank with housing and education as the issue New Yorkers care most about (witness the widespread support for the NYPD’s Muslim surveillance in polls.) There is concern—particularly among the city’s business elite, and more moderate white-ethnic and Jewish voters in the outer boroughs—that the current crop of Democrats are too beholden to labor and to ideology to make hard decisions, and guide the city in the manner that Mike Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani did.

But if Mr. Kelly does run, he is unlikely to follow the path cleared by Rudy Giuliani and Mike Bloomberg and keep the streak of Republican mayors alive. Here are five reasons why: Read More

By David Freedlander 4/03 6:35am

2013

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Garodnick Makes Comptroller Run Official

In an email to supporters sent out this morning, City Councilman Dan Garodnick made his plan to run for City Comptroller official, telling supporters “I’m ready to take the next step in serving the City I love.  I will be in touch with you in the coming days to personally ask for your support.”

The candidate will address reporters about his candidacy today on the steps of City Hall. He held a similar avail last week.

Mr. Garodnick is in many ways a formidable candidate–he has lined up an A-Team of consultants, including Berlin Rosen and Bedford Grove, is well-liked in the Council and among editorial boards and has a large base of support on the east side of Manhattan. Read More

By David Freedlander 4/02 12:49pm

2013

saujani

Running As A ‘Disrupter,’ Reshma Saujani Raises For 2013–UPDATE

Reshma Saujani dispelled any speculation about her intentions next year with an email to supporters asking them to be “early adopters” of her 2013 campaign for public advocate.

“You know me. I am a disrupter, a political entrepreneur, someone who not only believes in public-private partnerships but actually knows how to build them,” she writes.  ”We know that the future of government is action-orientated leadership. People who simply get things done. New voices and new ideas. Leaders who will open up the doors far and wide, so that everyone can be an advocate.”

Ms. Saujani first came to prominence during her 2010 campaign for Congress against Carolyn Maloney– a race she ended up losing by 60 points despite the support of an number of big-ticket donors.  She went on to work in the office of the man she hopes to replace–Bill de Blasio, serving as a deputy public advocate of New York City and the executive director of the Fund for Public Advocacy. Read More

By David Freedlander 3/21 12:59pm

2013

Bill de Blasio, via Flickr

In Brief Interview, de Blasio Sketches Campaign Themes For 2013 [Video]

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio appeared on “Good Day New York” this morning to talk about his effort to change the Bloomberg administration’s shelter food policy program, and he was asked by co-host Greg Kelly if all of the 2013 mayoral candidates would just spend the next several months bashing the mayor.

Mr. de Blasio disgreed, and laid what sounded like the themes he would hammer home over the next year or so as the mayoral campaign heats up.

“There are areas where I agree with mayor. I think he has done a very good job for example in general on public health and the environment,” he said, although it is worth noting that the shelter policy he was objecting to was in fact a public health measure. Read More

By David Freedlander 2/10 11:38am

2013

2009 Library Lions Benefit

Quinn Says City Will Be Better When Billionaires Aren’t In Charge [Video]

Council Speaker Christine Quinn appeared on “Good Day New York” this morning–on the same day that host Greg Kelly returned from an absence stemming from an investigation into a rape charge against him–and she was asked about a story in the New York Post by Sally Goldenberg.

The story was a recap of Ms. Quinn’s State of the City speech yesterday and said the address was reminder to ”voters she is a liberal Democrat and distancing herself from Mayor Bloomberg as she gears up for a competitive 2013 mayoral primary.”

Ms. Quinn disagreed with that characterization. Read More

By David Freedlander 2/08 5:31pm

2013

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Eric Adams Makes Brooklyn BP Run Official

State Senator Eric Adams put an end to speculation about which office he would seek, announcing in an email to supporters this afternoon, “At the behest of many of you, Eric has decided to pursue his dream to run for the office of Brooklyn Borough President in 2013. “

Mr. Adams had been rumored to either be a  BP candidate in 2013 or make a run for Public Advocate, but the email today–sent by his chief of staff, Ingrid Lewis-Martin–makes plain that he has decided to go with the former.

“The road to Borough Hall is long and can be rocky, but with your continued support we can pave the way and set a smooth course,” the email reads. “I will send you periodic emails and news updates to keep you informed and abreast of all of the ways in which you can be a part of our journey to Brooklyn Borough Hall.” Read More

By David Freedlander 2:43pm

2013

gop_climate

GOP to Bloomberg: Cough, Cough (Clears Throat)

Kudos to the good folks at The Notebook for getting this up first, but it appears as if the five Republican County Chairman are taking exception to something that erstwhile Wilson-Paculaite of theirs said this week.

On Sunday, Post City Hall bureau chief David Seifman quoted Mayor Bloomberg predicting to his paper’s editorial board that the  next occupant of the bullpen will be a Democrat.

“I think it’s very hard to see a Republican coming along,” Mr. Bloomberg said, adding,  ”It’s really hard to see the Democratic primary next year not being the real election.” Read More