Yes, More Mr. Nice Guy

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Jul 19, 2024 View in browser   By Jason Beeferman New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, with his assistant Cathy, standing next to his workspace, a portion of Cathy's desk. | Jason Beeferman/POLITICO THE VIEW FROM DINAPOLI: In the ego-driven world of New York politics, one official stands apart: A quiet, amiable pol who eschews a fancy office and doesn’t even keep a computer in his workspace. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s style in the state capital is practically unheard of: befriend everyone, stay present and don’t steal the spotlight. “I think my brand of politics, which maybe some people would say is anachronistic or old-fashioned, is definitely one that is not confrontational,” the Democratic official, sitting cross-legged at a long conference table in Albany, tells me. He’s been in the position for 17 years now, after being installed as the Legislature’s consensus candidate in 2007 during a battle between former Gov. Eliot Spitzer and the two Houses. No one has come close to unseating DiNapoli since 2010, when he faced a tough challenge from Republican Harry Wilson. We’re seated next door to his sprawling personal office on Albany’s State Street. In it, there’s an imposing desk, a matching set of plush, light-blue couches and chairs and a stunning view of the state Capitol with wisps of the Upper Hudson Valley hills in the distance. DiNapoli almost never uses the room. “When I first came here, I saw this office. I said, ‘This is such a freaking big office, who needs this office?’” he said. He prefers to be hunched over, mere feet from his assistant, Cathy, working off the arm of her desk in an adjoining room. It’s in keeping with his brand. DiNapoli is subdued, but friendly. Smiling, but humble. And he has a clear playbook he swears by to stay alive in the bloody world of New York politics. “Don't demonize or belittle the opposition,” he recounts. “Be honest and forthright about your beliefs and your positions.” “On policy issues,” he says, “look for common ground as much as possible.” As state comptroller, DiNapoli commands a staff of about 2,700 where he’s tasked with auditing the state, managing its pension fund and exposing waste, fraud and abuse in government. The position comes with natural speculation that he could be eyeing a run for governor. But DiNapoli won’t entertain that. “I made the decision to run again for this job,” he said. “I always say I have the best job in New York state government that most people don't fully appreciate. So for me, it's just been kind of an easy choice.” DiNapoli, 70, is the second-longest-serving comptroller in the state’s history. He’d have to run again in 2030 if he wants to make the record and beat out Arthur Levitt, who served from 1955 to 1978. His work style may be more in common with Levitt than the next comptroller. DiNapoli doesn’t have a computer in his office and still likes to hunt the neighborhood for print copies of the Times, Newsday, Daily News and The Post (“I’m not a luddite,” he objects). He wakes up early and almost never takes vacation (He’d go to Greece or Italy if he could). He reads political biographies, political speeches and chronicles of the Civil War (He majored in History at Hofstra). And, while he’s often private about it, he’s a devout Catholic who goes to church every weekend. (“I’m a big fan of the Popes,” he tells me after I point out the Pope Francis portrait behind his desk). And if you want to email him, good luck. “Cathy has a computer, so if someone wants to email me, I use Cathy’s email and she will print it out for me. That’s how we do it.” His style has served him well over the years. He handily won the last three of his elections, since that scare in 2010. And he has few foes: “I think I have a shorter list of people who don't like me than others do,” he says with a smile. But, let’s make things clear. He doesn’t appreciate the suggestion that he’s some kind of softy (Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo allegedly nicknamed him “CB” for Chipmunk Balls). “Sometimes when I hear people say, ‘Oh, he's such a nice guy.’ I mean, I think people mean it as a compliment, but sometimes, you know, it's almost like patting you on the head or something,” he said. “Look, I've survived in New York state politics for 37 years. That just doesn't happen because you're such a nice guy.” — Jason Beeferman   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.     From the Capitol Bronx Assemblymember Kenny Burgos (center) is leaving his post. | Joseph Spector/POLITICO BURGOS, OUT: Democratic Bronx Assemblymember Kenny Burgos has resigned, he announced today. Burgos in a statement said his decision to step down comes as he and his wife get ready for a child. “This decision comes after heartfelt discussions with my wife as we prepare for the joys and challenges of our expanding family and open a new chapter in our lives,” he said. It’s not yet clear where Burgos is going with his resignation effective Thursday. He was first elected to the seat in 2020. “As I transition from public office, I carry with me not just memories of what we have accomplished, but an enduring optimism for what we will continue to achieve together,” he said. The Bronx Democratic Party plans to nominate Emerita Torres, a vice president at social service nonprofit the Community Service Society, to fill Burgos’ spot on the November ballot, the party’s Executive Director Ariana Collado told Playbook. The South Bronx district, which includes Rikers Island, is overwhelmingly Democratic, and Torres would be all but guaranteed to win. Is it anti-Democratic, to resign at a time that doesn’t allow for an open race? “This was a personal decision of his,” Collado said. “I don’t think that he had planned for this.” — Nick Reisman & Jeff Coltin ‘WHEN’S THE FUNERAL?’: Gov. Kathy Hochul promised this morning she would lower state flags to half-staff in memory of a slain Trump supporter once the day of his funeral arrived. But Corey Comperatore’s funeral is actually today. “We’re looking at that for the day of the funeral… When’s the funeral? We gotta find out when the funeral is,” Hochul said today, after being asked when she would order flags at half staff for Comperatore, who died at a rally during Trump’s assassination attempt. “We’re on it governor,” her staff said. Two hours later, the governor’s press office issued an announcement that all flags on state buildings would be lowered at half-staff in honor of Comperatore. Hochul first promised to look into lowering state flags for Comperatore on Monday during her first remarks on the former president’s assassination attempt. She called for an end to political violence and expressed her disgust with the shooting. “I said the day of the funeral, clearly the day of the funeral has not occurred,” she told reporters today before announcing the flags would be lowered. While Comperatore was a resident of Pennsylvania, other governors, like those of Virginia, Louisiana and Colorado, have ordered flags be flown at half staff in his memory. He died at the rally while shielding his family from bullets, according to accounts. “The incompetence by the Governor’s administration is matched only by President Biden, so it’s not surprising they didn’t know when the funeral was being held,” Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said in a statement. “Corey Comperatore is a hero — lower the flag.” — Jason Beeferman ALL IN’ FOR JOE: New York’s most prominent Democrats today affirmed their support for President Joe Biden remaining in the race as calls continue from inside the party for him to step aside. In Albany, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand called Biden “a great president” and “a great presidential candidate.” “He will defeat Trump. He will kick his butt and we are all in,” she said during an unrelated news conference with Hochul, another prominent Biden supporter. “This is a clear choice between what we stand for and what the Republican Party stands for.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, meanwhile, acknowledged in an interview with WNYC “there is work to be done,” but added Biden can be victorious in November. “The [Biden-Harris] ticket that exists right now is a ticket that we can win on," Jeffries said. The public show of support from New York Democrats comes after weeks of tough headlines for the 81-year-old Biden, who has faced growing questions over his age and mental acuity following a poor debate performance last month. Both Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer met privately with the president to offer a frank assessment based on polling and the eroding support among Democrats in Congress. Biden’s campaign this afternoon announced the president would return to the campaign trail next week following a positive Covid test. — Nick Reisman IN OTHER NEWS — MAGIC SCHOOL BUS: Three school bus companies with multimillion-dollar contracts with the city, as well as a real estate developer who deals with city government, all gave more than the legal cap to Adams’ 2025 campaign. (THE CITY) — HOCHUL’S HOTEL TALE: Did a crowd of kitchen wait staff at a Sheraton hotel give Hochul a standing ovation for canceling congestion pricing? One reporter tried to find out. (Hell Gate) — CUOMO BUYS POLL: Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s campaign paid a polling firm nearly $68,000 earlier this year. (New York Post) — HOLDING PATTERN: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries avoided saying whether Biden should remain in the race during a closely watched interview. (Crain’s New York) Missed this morning’s New York Playbook? Read it here.   Follow us on Twitter Jason Beeferman @JasonBeeferman   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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