| | | | |  | | By Emily Ngo, Jeff Coltin and Nick Reisman | With help from Rich Mendez
| 
Rep. Mike Lawler said he'll support the Republican nominee at the top of the ticket, without mentioning Trump by name. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | The top of the ticket is taboo to the contenders in two of the state’s most competitive House races. Some candidates won’t even reference their party’s presumptive presidential nominee by name. All of them pivot as quickly as they can to their own elections. After all, Donald Trump can be an anchor on down-ballot Republicans and, as of late, Joe Biden almost definitely is one for Democrats. “I answered the question. I’m supporting the Republican nominee,” Rep. Mike Lawler told Playbook, even though he had, in fact, not answered whether he’ll eventually endorse Trump. “I support him. He supports me. That’s the relationship,” Rep. Marc Molinaro told Playbook. In contrast to Lawler, the upstate Republican went on to use Trump’s name and talk briefly about their cross-endorsement before bringing the conversation back to his district. Democratic challengers Mondaire Jones and Josh Riley, meanwhile, declined requests for interviews to elaborate on their far-from-enthusiastic statements about Biden, whose debate stumbles two weeks ago have thrown his viability into doubt and his party into chaos. Neither Trump nor Biden are very popular in 17th and 19th congressional districts north of New York City — perhaps most evident in how the candidates jump to tie their rivals to their party leaders but are reticent to talk about their own standard-bearers. The two face-offs are among the six in the state expected to help determine who controls the House next year. But the dynamics are different than in other New York battleground races. The Republican incumbents’ support for Trump is tepid, especially compared to GOP Reps. Nick LaLota and Anthony D’Esposito on Long Island. And Democrats Riley and Jones — who are in their second and third campaigns for Congress, respectively — are somewhere between noncommittal and fatalistic on Biden, though the state’s most endangered frontline Democrat, Rep. Pat Ryan, has urged the president to withdraw for the sake of his country. “Most of the voters I talk to wish they had different options, and they want new leadership. They’re not wrong,” Riley, the former U.S. Senate counsel locked in a rematch against Molinaro, had said in his statement. He notably did not give his own opinion. “If President Biden is the nominee, I’ll be voting for him,” read the start of Jones’ statement, released as Lawler issued a press release pressuring his opponent for a response. Jones on Thursday responded in an additional statement to Playbook further excoriating Lawler for supporting Trump. Lawler, who represents the lower Hudson Valley, said polling of his race and Biden and Trump’s shows he is the only candidate above water. His election and Molinaro’s are shaping up to be among the most closely watched in the country, and they’re at a fundraising disadvantage as Democrats outpace them in the cash race. Riley raised about twice what Molinaro did for his campaign in the past three months of the year, Playbook has reported. And Jones has been topping Lawler’s numbers for several quarters, though both are strong fundraisers. “I was outraised by him two years ago, significantly, and we won,” Molinaro noted of the rival he has sought to portray as a Washington insider. Lawler’s campaign raised about $1.5 million in the second quarter of this year, he recently announced. He didn’t deny a hefty campaign war chest is crucial but he, like Molinaro, pointed to the red wave that ushered several New York Republicans into office. “Think back to 2022, I raised $1.6 million total and took out the chair of the D-triple-C,” he told Playbook on Thursday of then-Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney. “So money alone is not the determinant factor.” — Emily Ngo HAPPY FRIDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.
| | | | THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists.
Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY. | | | | | WHERE’S KATHY? Making an infrastructure announcement. WHERE’S ERIC? Meeting with Dominican Republic Senator-Elect Omar Leonel Fernandez Dominguez, then appearing live on PIX11’s “PIX11 News at 5 pm." QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We were so surprised, disappointed and angered by your recent op-ed on antisemitism that singled-out for criticism Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg, the first Black person to hold this prestigious position.” — Black leaders, including NAACP’s Hazel Dukes, in an open letter to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, via the Daily News.
|  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | | | 
In an effort to appear tough on Mayor Adams, Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar said they disagree all the time, but gave no specific examples. | Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office | COMPTROLLED ENTRY: Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar says she and the mayor “disagree all the time” — but declined to share any examples when asked, just saying they talk about “the best way to get something done.” The Queens Democrat spoke on the Max Politics podcast with Ben Max on Monday, the day she officially filed to fundraise for a run for city comptroller. How would she square holding Adams accountable with being his closest political ally, Max asked? “The voters know that I put them first,” Rajkumar said. She wants to make government work better, and wouldn’t “use the position as a mere platform to attack the mayor, for the sole purpose of being able to win the mayoralty” — a knock at Comptroller Brad Lander, who is seriously considering taking on Adams. But Rajkumar insisted her run wasn’t about Lander, or Adams, but government inefficiency. “We are literally the largest metropolitan economy on this globe,” she said. “And yet, somehow, hardworking New Yorkers, who work 25 hours a day, and pay some of the highest taxes in our country, they’re not able to get lifesaving health care. They’re not able to get quality education, or adequate transportation. So my question is, where does all the money go? There’s not enough return on investment, or government accountability.” Be that as it may, Rajkumar is such a steady presence by Adams’ side she has given new shape to the role of political ally. She joins him for press conferences outside her district, often delivering remarks alongside members of his own administration. She spoke at a Juneteenth commemoration at Gracie Mansion, a pool opening in Astoria and the announcement of a program to combat package theft. She raised eyebrows by celebrating the reversal of budget cuts that were negotiated by the City Council. (“I guess the Assemblymember was a part of negotiations. Who knew…” legislative leader Diana Ayala posted on X.) And she has sat on the mayor’s dais at his town halls throughout the city. — Jeff Coltin
| | CITY HALL: THE LATEST | | | | 
Mark Levine's fundraising puts him ahead of other contenders for City Comptroller, if Brad Lander makes a run for mayor. | William Alatriste/NYC Council Media Unit | MARK-ED BILLS: Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine raised more than $130,000 from 1,565 people in the last six months, his campaign tells Playbook, as he plans a run for city comptroller next year. Thursday night marked the deadline for the fundraising period, and all city candidates’ reports are due Monday. State and federal candidates’ reports are due the same day, so look out for across-the-board coverage from POLITICO. With more than $415,000 raised in the last two years, Levine would already be in line for more than $1 million in public matching funds, giving him a significant head start over other potential comptroller candidates, such as Rajkumar and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso — if Lander leaves the seat open to run for mayor. Levine told Playbook the fundraising total is a “clear message” that donors “support candidates aggressively pursuing policies that deliver more affordable housing.” — Jeff Coltin CITY OF YES AND YES AND YES AND: The City Planning Commission’s public hearing on the City of Yes housing plan went until 12:45 a.m. Thursday — and staff there think it set a record for the longest meeting in the body’s history. Over 15 hours, 204 people testified, and 110 of them spoke in favor of the zoning plan, according to an informal count from pro-housing group Open New York. That slight majority of support was a surprise, given the intense opposition in some pockets of the city to increased housing density. The CPC is still taking written testimony up until its vote in September. After that, City of Yes will go to the City Council. — Jeff Coltin More from the city: — Lander is preparing to announce a run against Adams within the next two weeks — and might not couch it as ‘exploratory.’ (Daily News) — Adams’ mayoral challengers will face a big test as a key fundraising filing deadline looms. (Crain’s) — Delivery drivers are being paid a higher minimum wage than ever before, thanks to 2023 legislation by Adams. (SI Advance)
| | | | Understand 2024’s big impacts with Pro’s extensive Campaign Races Dashboard, exclusive insights, and key coverage of federal- and state-level debates. Focus on policy. Learn more. | | | | | | | NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY | | | 
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced on Thursday that local governments have their tax levy growth capped at a 2 percent increase. | AP Photo | A TAXING ISSUE: Persistent inflation is stretching the state’s cap on property taxes to its limit. Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced Thursday local governments have their tax levy growth capped at a 2 percent increase — the biggest hike allowed under a 12-year-old state law. New York homeowners pay among the highest property taxes in the country — making it a potent political issue, especially in suburban communities like Westchester County and on Long Island. State lawmakers and then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2011 agreed to a cap on annual increases for local governments and school districts. The cap limits how much money can be raised from property taxes to either the rate of inflation or a 2 percent increase — whichever is lower. In the years since the law took effect, low inflation kept tax levies across the state. But inflation has changed that. "Allowable tax levy growth will be limited to 2% for a fourth consecutive year," DiNapoli said. “The rate of inflation has decreased since the highs of 2022, but local governments are still facing higher prices for goods and services, moderating sales tax revenue collections, and an end to federal pandemic aid.” — Nick Reisman ERA SURVIVES: The Court of Appeals announced Thursday afternoon that it won’t hear a Republican suit seeking to block the state-level Equal Rights Amendment from appearing on November’s ballot. The GOP plaintiffs won a decision earlier this year that concluded the Democratic-dominated Legislature didn’t follow the proper procedural steps in advancing the ERA. But a mid-level appellate court concluded last month that the suit wasn’t brought quickly enough and tossed it. Thursday’s decision by the state’s top court means the public can vote on the amendment as planned. The ERA would add anti-discrimination language on subjects such as age and disability to the state constitution. Democrats have been hoping to use it — particularly language adding abortion protections — to energize their base this fall. — Bill Mahoney More from Albany: — The split between Hochul and Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado highlights the broader debate over Biden among Democrats nationally. (POLITICO) — Hochul approved a package of bills meant to address fires caused by e-bike batteries. (Spectrum News) — Two state legislative races are getting some national exposure from a Democratic group. (City & State)
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | — House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, a close Trump ally, will be a featured speaker at next week’s Republican National Convention. (New York Post)
| | NEW YORK STATE OF MIND | | — Trump urged the New York judge to toss his hush money conviction in light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision on presidential immunity. (POLITICO) — The vast majority of the massive, metallic towers the city commissioned to help low-income neighborhoods access high-speed internet aren’t actually working yet. (Gothamist) — Nassau County is considering a ban on mask-wearing at demonstrations. (New York Post)
| | SOCIAL DATA | | Edited by Daniel Lippman MAKING MOVES — Stephen Ross is stepping down as chair of Related Cos. but has launched a new real estate company in West Palm Beach. (Wall Street Journal) … William Wilson has joined Morrison Foerster as a partner in the firm’s Technology Transactions Group and will be based in the New York office. WEEKEND WEDDING — Caroline Rose, a director at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, an adjunct professor at Georgetown and a consultant for the U.N., on Saturday married Jackson Armstrong, an equity research analyst for Wells Fargo who recently completed service as a captain in the U.S. Army. The couple wed in Sannes, France. They met through competing in collegiate Model UN while she was at AU and he was at West Point. Pic ... Another pic WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Olivia Polen, corporate governance associate at Strive Asset Management and a Trump White House alum, and Ken Carroll, an associate at Booz Allen Hamilton and a Trump White House alum, on Monday welcomed Georgia Frances Carroll. Pic OUT & ABOUT: New York Jews in Politics celebrated the social group’s one year anniversary with hosts Moshe Davis, Adrien Gardner Lesser, Pesach Osina, and Eva Wyner welcoming guests to Maxwell Social. SPOTTED: Jonathan Greenspun, founder of the original NYJP iteration, Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Assemblymember Harvey Weinstein, political legend George Arzt, Menashe Shapiro, former Nightlife Mayor Ariel Palitz, media personality Skye Ostreicher, and political power duo Janice and Stuart Shorenstein. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: POLITICO’s Ryan Lizza and Adam Wren … CNN’s Edward-Isaac Dovere and Eden Getachew … Assemblymember Karl Brabenec … Newsday’s Rita Ciolli … WABC Radio’s Ernie Anastos … Chalkbeat’s Amy Zimmer … Lisa Daglian of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA … former City Council member Sara Gonzalez … Alex Levy of A.H. Levy & Co. … Brooke Baldwin … Cecilia Narrett … Fox News’ Bryan Llenas … Bank of America’s Susan Axelrod and Adam Elias … CBS’ Mary Walsh … Bloomberg’s Kayla Sharpe … Madeline Saunders of Stu Loeser & Co. … Josh King … Gregorio Gomez … Alexandra Betesh … Brandon Shaw … Ella Riley-Adams … Basel Hamdan Missed Thursday’s New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here. | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
Comments
Post a Comment