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By Colin Campbell 3/18 4:26pm

Weighing In

Charles Barron. (Photo: Getty)

Charles Barron, Carolyn Maloney Endorse in Mayoral Race

Although almost all of the city’s elected officials have stayed mum on this year’s mayoral election, especially on the Democratic side of the aisle, two new politicians have already thrown their support behind different candidates this week. Brooklyn Councilman Charles Barron endorsed Comptroller John Liu for the city’s top job and Manhattan Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney did the same for Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

“I think he brings energy. I think he brings real commitment to working class families. He’s a fighter against Wall Street,” Mr. Barron told Politicker before Mr. Liu’s Sunday announcement event. “I think he’s done good as comptroller to make sure that we got an equitable share of the contracts and pension investments. I think he’ll be the best candidate.”

Mr. Barron, of course, has said a raft of controversial statements during his tenure in office. Read More

By Hunter Walker 9/07/12 12:39pm

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David Paterson

David Paterson Discusses Cuomo’s ‘Brilliant Strategy,’ Shelly’s Scandal and Why Carl Paladino Should ‘Shut Up’

CHARLOTTE, NC — Politicker ran into former Governor David Paterson while he was working the room inside the CNN Grill at the DNC Wednesday and we asked him about all of the drama that surrounded the New York delegation at the convention. Mr. Paterson heaped praise upon Mr. Cuomo and the delegation’s leader, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and he had harsh words for one of their critics,bat-wielding 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino.

“Carl Paladino should take that bat and hit himself in the head with it, it would do us all a favor,” said Mr. Paterson. Read More

By Colin Campbell 9/04/12 2:08pm

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(Photo: Facebook)

WFP Endorses James Sanders, Andy King

The Working Parties Family rolled out duel endorsements this afternoon, and while neither is necessarily surprising, both candidates are undoubtedly happy to have the labor-backed coalition’s support.

The first endorsement went to Councilman James Sanders, who’s working to unseat State Senator Shirley Huntley in the Democratic primary only 9 days away. The deadline has passed for the WFP to officially put Mr. Sanders on their ballot line, but the backing is a nice validator as Ms. Huntley tries to keep her head above water since she was arrested on Monday of last week. Read More

By David Freedlander 8/27/12 2:35pm

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Medical Marijuana Group Endorses Obama for Re-Election

Calling it the defining economic issue of the moment, The United States Medical Marijuana Chamber of Commerce which advocates for the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes, endorsed Barack Obama for president today.

“Let’s not get distracted by the myriad of issues that will be brought to the forefront at the upcoming political conventions, the single most important election issue is getting our economy back on track,” said Thomas L. Leto III, President and Founder of the U.S. Medical Marijuana Chamber of Commerce. “The Economic Potential of the Cannabis Business in the U.S. is Limitless and President Obama understands this. It is our impression that Mr. Romney just doesn’t get it.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/10/12 3:58pm

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Joe Crowley (Photo: Facebook)

Joe Crowley: ‘Mr. Lancman Is Misinformed’

Congressman Joe Crowley, the head of the Queens County Democratic Party and a supporter of Assemblywoman Grace Meng’s congressional campaign, has only one thing to stay about Assemblyman Rory Lancman’s charges of a plot to split the Jewish vote in Ms. Meng’s favor: Mr. Lancman is misinformed.

So went the conversation following a Jackson Heights press conference earlier this afternoon on expanding visa access for tourists.

“He’s misinformed,” Mr. Crowley said bluntly when The Politicker first brought up Mr. Lancman’s argument. A long pause followed as both reporters questioning him waited for additional commentary. Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/09/12 1:43pm

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dan halloran wiki

Dan Halloran Blasts Gottlieb’s Entry; Liz Crowley Passes

Jeffrey Gottlieb suddenly leaping into the Democratic primary for New York’s 6th Congressional District has politicos abuzz about whether his campaign is designed to take Jewish votes away from one of the candidates, Assemblyman Rory Lancman, in order to benefit the candidate endorsed by the Queens Democratic establishment, Assemblywoman Grace Meng.

Mr. Gottlieb’s candidacy certainly seems bizarre in some respects, including his efforts on behalf of Ms. Meng up until last week, his late entry into the race and his subsequent silence in the media. Embracing this argument, Mr. Lancman went nuclear on what he called the “sham candidacy by a long-time party hack.”

But how do the other candidates in the race feel about Mr. Gottlieb’s entry? Read More

By Hunter Walker 1/11/12 5:28pm

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Diane Savino (Photo: NYSenate.gov)

Senator Diane Savino On Mitt Romney And The Possible Coney Island Casino

State Senator Diane Savino is not pleased with GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. After watching Mr. Romney’s New Hampshire victory speech, Senator Savino wrote a Facebook post saying, “I sometimes hate this frigging business.” The Politicker talked to Senator Savino this morning to find out why she found Mr. Romney’s speech “offensive” and to get her thoughts on the prospect of a casino in Coney Island, which is part of her seat in the 23rd District.

Senator Savino described Mr. Romney’s speech as “the worst kind of gutter politics.”

“He made direct statements accusing the President of exploiting the politics of envy, the statement that President Obama does not care about America, that President Obama is a socialist. It was really the worst kind of gutter politics,” Senator Savino said. “You want to disagree with President Obama? Fine, but stop trying to insinuate or overtly state that he’s un-American. That’s what I took offense to.” Read More