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Frenemies

By Ross Barkan 3/16 8:22pm

Frenemies

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Donovan Richards Set to Hire Pesach Osina

Councilman Donovan Richards will likely hire his one-time electoral rival Pesach Osina next week.

“It’s an interesting time, you know, sort of like Barack and Hillary,” Mr. Richards, the winner of an incredibly tight special election in southeast Queens last month, told Politicker on Friday. “We heal quick. You know, I think Pesach would certainly be a great addition to my team. He will help unite the community and he’ll be a great asset. Don’t be surprised if he’s hired next week.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 5/07/12 4:14pm

Frenemies

Guillermo Linares (photo: assembly.state.ny.us)

Espaillat Hopes Linares’ Campaign Is An Expression of Confidence [Video]

Assemblyman Guillermo Linares announced his candidacy for State Senator Adriano Espaillat’s seat last night, making it clear he was willing to run against Mr. Espaillat even if the state senator loses his congressional bid, but Mr. Espaillat didn’t seem especially worried about the competition when asked about the prospect earlier this afternoon.

“This is a democracy and I hope he made that decision because he’s very convinced that I’m going to win this race,” Mr. Espaillat told The Politicker after he received the endorsement of Freddy Ferrer. Read More

By Hunter Walker 5/04/12 12:29pm

Frenemies

Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney at a presidential debate in Arizona in February. (Photo: Getty)

Romney And Santorum Have Pittsburgh Powwow

Mitt Romney and his erstwhile rival in the race for the Republican nomination, Rick Santorum, are spending a little time together today at the Pittsburgh home of Mr. Santorum’s former senior strategist, John Brabender. Staffers for Mr. Santorum described the sitdown as two politicians, just hanging out.

“Santorum aides have said an immediate endorsement of Romney is not expected at the session. Instead, they describe an opportunity for the one-time opponents to get to know each other better and discuss the upcoming general election campaign,” reports CNN. Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/26/12 1:08pm

Frenemies

Nachman Caller voting last Tuesday. (Photo: Caller campaign)

Storobin and Caller Meet to Discuss Campaign

Last night, Republican State Senate candidates David Storobin and Nachman Caller met to discuss the current state of affairs in the district that they are both seeking to represent, according to multiple sources.

Each of the candidates, presumably, would prefer to have an uncontested primary so he could wade into the general election from a position of strength. One source described the meeting as partially a discussion as to who would be the stronger challenger to Democratic candidate Simcha Felder, but Michael Fragin, an adviser to Mr. Caller, described it as more of a general discussion. Read More

By Hunter Walker 4/17/12 11:59pm

Frenemies

Sen. Greg Ball (Photo: Facebook)

Former Allies Duke It Out In Weird, Wild Westchester State Senate Race

“I view a political campaign as a guerrilla effort, not the furry type of gorilla,” State Senator and former Air Force Captain Greg Ball told The Politicker recently. “In the military, the saying is, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’ And we’re going to win this primary handily. We’re going to teach the assemblyman a lesson in civility and in loyalty.”

The assemblyman in question is former ally Steve Katz, who is challenging Mr. Ball for his Hudson Valley State Senate seat in the Republican primary. The two have been enmeshed in a protracted campaign that has gotten ugly enough for Mr. Ball’s bellicose metaphor to be increasingly apt. In a former life, the candidates were friends—even donating to each other’s past political efforts—but the race has devolved to include outlandish costumed characters, nasty nicknames and even calls for a ceasefire from local party officials. Read More

By Hunter Walker 2/22/12 8:13am

Frenemies

Frank Seddio and Mercedes Narcisse (Photo: Facebook)

Old Friends Battle For Lew Fidler’s Council Seat

Mercedes Narcisse told The Politicker she doesn’t “tolerate” the “sense of entitlement” her old friend, Frank Seddio, is bringing to the race to fill Lew Fidler’s seat in the City Council if Mr. Fidler is successful in his run for State Senate.

“Since I registered in 2007, if Frank decided to run against me, he’s supposed to let me know,” Ms. Narcisse said. “If he doesn’t let me know, that means he has a sense of entitlement. So, that I don’t tolerate. I think that it should be a seat with democratic process.”

Mr. Fidler is running to replace former State Senator Carl Kruger, who was forced to step down after pleading guilty to corruption charges in December. The special election for Mr. Kruger’s seat is scheduled for next month and, if Mr. Fidler is victorious, there will be another special election to fill his Council seat shortly after. Mr. Seddio said he doesn’t understand Ms. Narcisse’s criticism of him as entitled given the unique situation that led up to their race.

“I’m not sure what that means, I mean, truthfully, in a normal circumstance, this election would be held next year,’ Mr. Seddio said. “I dont know how far in advance you tell people you’re running for something. Isn’t it about weighing about all the options?”

Mr. Seddio and Ms. Narcisse have known each other for about 20 years and Mr. Seddio is the godfather of Ms. Narcisse’s daughter. Read More

By Hunter Walker 1/17/12 7:13pm

Frenemies

Michael Grimm and Loretta Sanchez. (Photo: YouTube)

Michael Grimm And Loretta Sanchez Will Be State of The Union Seatmates

Michael Grimm and Loretta Sanchez. (Photo: YouTube)

Republican Congressman Michael Grimm, who represents the 13th District in Brooklyn and Staten Island, will be sitting next to his frequent television sparring partner, Democratic California Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, at next week’s State of the Union address.

“While Congresswoman Sanchez often has opposite views and Read More

By Hunter Walker 12/27/11 3:03pm

Frenemies

Mayor Michael Bloomberg (Getty)

Mayor Bloomberg Supports Key Aspects of Cuomo's Agenda

Amid mounting reports of a troubled relationship between City Hall and the governor’s mansion, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he’d support Governor Andrew Cuomo on two of his main initiatives for next year–pension reform efforts and the push for casino gambling. Mayor Bloomberg commented on both subjects during a press conference after he announced that average life expectancy for New Yorkers has reached an all-time high. Read More