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Looking ahead

By Colin Campbell 1/23 3:50pm

Looking ahead

(Photo: Getty)

Lawmakers Make 2016 References While Grilling Clinton Over Benghazi

For a good portion of the day, outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been testifying before Congress about federal government’s response to the September 11th attacks against the American diplomatic mission in Libya, but that doesn’t mean presidential politics have completely left the room.

Indeed, in front of the House Foreign Affairs Committee earlier this afternoon, Ms. Clinton faced at least two questioners dropping not-so-subtle suggestions regarding her hypothetical campaign for the White House in 2016. Notably, Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch, who represents the Miami suburbs, expressed hope he’ll be seeing Ms. Clinton politicking in his swing state in the future. Read More

By Ross Barkan 12/13/12 10:07am

Looking ahead

Malcolm Smith (Photo: Getty)

Democrats Ponder Primary Challenges to Rogue Senators

Hell hath no fury like a county organization scorned.

Multiple Democratic insiders confirmed to Politicker that Queens State Senator Malcolm Smith, the fifth member of the breakaway Independent Democratic Conference, could face a primary challenger in 2014. Mr. Smith, it should be noted, has flirted with running for mayor as a Republican and is not going out of his way to strengthen his Democratic bonafides.

“It’s clear that Malcolm Smith is on his last term in the Senate,” said one source. “Caucusing with Republicans is not a viable tactic.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 10/25/12 11:13am

Looking ahead

Bill de Blasio (Photo: Facebook)

Bill de Blasio Staffs Up for 2013

The Republicans aren’t the only ones making moves in next year’s mayoral race before voters head to the polls this year. Emma Wolfe, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio’s chief of staff, is leaving her role in his government office to join his own still-unannounced campaign for Gracie Mansion.

“I’m writing to let you know I’m moving on from the Public Advocate’s office — albeit not too far. I’ll be working for Bill for his New Yorkers for de Blasio campaign committee,” Ms. Wolfe wrote in a staff email today. Read More

By David Freedlander 6/27/12 4:12pm

Looking ahead

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Rangel Avoids Retirement, But What Happens To Harlem Now?

Last night, Charlie Rangel survived his toughest re-election challenge in his 42-year long Congressional career, beating State Senator Adriano Espaillat by five points in a newly reconfigured district that is a majority Latino and includes a portion of the Bronx.

For generations, politicos uptown have jockeying to be next in line to replace Mr. Rangel. Mr. Espaillat, who was elected to the State Senate in 2010 due in large measure to Mr. Rangel’s support, jumped that line. With the votes all tallied, the key question is what happens to that several decade long scramble to be Mr. Rangel’s chosen successor, to those state and local lawmakers who have been good soldiers to the Rangel juggernaut all these years. Read More

By David Freedlander 6/27/12 12:03pm

Looking ahead

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In New Strategy Memo, DCCC Lays Out The State Of Play In NY

Fresh off last night’s primaries, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of House Democrats, sent out to reporters a strategy memo detailing how they intend to take back the seats swiped by the GOP in the 2010 election.

“Tuesday’s primary election results in New York show that Republicans are on the run and Democrats have strong candidates challenging vulnerable freshmen Republicans in six districts across the state, almost all of which were won by President Obama in 2008,” the memo states.

New York remains a deep blue state, but there are enough red pockets around the state to allow the GOP to pick up key seats, especially in an off-year election like 201o. Then, after looking for a while like the Republicans would be swept out of the state entirely, they picked up six seats, helping the Republicans retake the majority in the House. Read More