‘A very sexy topic’ is the talk of Somos

By Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman

Presented by Healthcare Education Project

With help from Jason Beeferman and Daniel Lippman

The lobby bar of the Caribe Hilton on Wednesday night at the Somos Conference in Puerto Rico where Mayor Eric Adams is noticeably absent. | Jeff Coltin/POLITICO

Mayor Eric Adams isn’t coming to the Somos conference in Puerto Rico this year. But his political woes were the main topic of conversation the first day in San Juan.

“The race is on,” one progressive organizer said to Playbook about the mayoral election. “There have to be options,” said a disgruntled City Council member.

In Adams’ absence, a few potential challengers filled the spotlight — whether they liked it or not.

Every two feet, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn) got stopped by people wanting a hug or a quick word as he walked through the lobby of the Caribe Hilton on his way to Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s opening night reception.

“Can we get the principal inside?!” his fiancé, former Assembly member Diana Richardson, joked to the other members of his entourage.

“I have been approached. I continue to be approached” about running for mayor, Myrie told Playbook. But those political conversations aren’t on most New Yorker’s minds.

“Most New Yorkers are wondering why they can’t pay rent, have no path to homeownership, cannot afford their medication, do not have support for child care,” he said.

Should the mayor be here? Myrie paused for 12 seconds. “I’m not going to comment on the mayor’s scheduling choices,” he said. “I think that is wholly within his administration's power to decide what’s important.”

It’s the city’s fiscal woes keeping him home, Adams said Wednesday, and a freeze on non-essential travel. He didn’t mention whether the FBI raid on his campaign fundraiser’s home also influenced the apparently-last-minute decision.

But key members of his team are here, on their own dime, including chief adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin; adviser Diane Savino; campaign lawyer Vito Pitta; Sheriff Anthony Miranda — wearing a six-pointed star pin — adviser Peter Koo and Police Commissioner Eddie Caban.

State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens) came in early on Election Day.

“I know that talking about the future of the mayoral seat is a very sexy topic,” she said, “but I think that much more of a priority is learning when White House meetings are going to get rescheduled, and how we’re actually going to get back on track trying to get the funding that we need.”

That let’s-focus-on-the-work tone was shared by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

“People are asking a lot of people to run,” he said. Himself, included. “I’m here to discuss issues affecting Latinos in Brooklyn.”

Other potential mayoral candidates’ names were also being floated the first night. Some, too ridiculous to print. Others, yet-to-be-confirmed rumors.

One trend: They’re not all Working Families Party-aligned progressives. The last two years — and maybe the last week especially — have some insiders dreaming of a moderate, or a technocrat.

There’s a good chance anybody running for mayor is at Somos. Assemblymember Karines Reyes (D-Bronx), the conference host, said more than 2,300 people are registered. In past years, it didn’t reach 2,000. – Jeff Coltin

IT’S THURSDAY. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.

WHERE’S KATHY? Delivering remarks at the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police and New York State Sheriff’s Association Leadership Conference.

WHERE’S ERIC? Hosting a breakfast reception in celebration of Veterans Day on Saturday, making a virtual announcement about gun violence prevention and receiving an award at the Advancement of Civilian Employees Society’s Annual Scholarship Dinner.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s both a fight for abortion rights and reproductive rights, but a much larger fight to protect core freedoms” – Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan (N.Y.) on the push to win passage of an amendment to codify the rights into the constitution.

Republican Rep. Mike Lawler could face a primary challenge from a former Trump administration official and Steve Bannon ex-employee William Maloney. | AP

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: William Maloney, a former Trump administration official who more recently worked for Steve Bannon’s radio show, is seriously considering challenging Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler in a Republican primary next year, he told Playbook.

“The voters deserve an alternative to RINO Mike Lawler, who bashes President Trump nonstop and was basically endorsed by Joe Biden in May,” Maloney said in a statement. “The 17th Congressional District is under siege from illegal immigration, and Lawler is exacerbating the horrible situation by not supporting plans such as Chip Roy’s to address it and by introducing the Dignity Act which would grant amnesty to millions of illegals and bring in both blue collar and white collar foreign visa workers.”

Maloney said that he’s talked to Bannon already about his potential run, and Bannon has encouraged him.

“Lawler is such a doofus and so never-Trump that the ultra-MAGA Bill Maloney is the perfect guy to take him on,” Bannon said in a brief interview.

In response: “Congressman Lawler is focused on doing his job and getting things done for his constituents in the Hudson Valley,” said Chris Russell, spokesperson for Lawler’s campaign. “As for next year, we’ll take nothing for granted, but are confident in our strong track record of beating Maloney’s.” – Daniel Lippman 

A message from Healthcare Education Project:

Medicaid pays New York’s hospitals 30% less than the actual cost of their care. But hospitals give all of their patients 100%, each and every day. Medicaid underpayments have already meant cuts to mental health services and maternity care. Albany can fix this injustice: Stop Medicaid underpayments and help hospitals stay open. Tell Albany: Every New Yorker deserves healthcare, no matter their income or ZIP code. End the Medicaid funding crisis now.

Justin Brannan celebrates his win over Republican Ari Kagan on election night in Bay Ridge. In a victory speech, Brannan vowed never to forget those who wronged him during his campaign. | Jason Beeferman/POLITICO

‘PETTY LIKE TOM’: Justin Brannan isn’t forgetting how Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn undercut his campaign.

“I’m petty like Tom, man,” the reelected City Council member told Playbook late Tuesday. “In a race like this, this is really when you separate who your friends are. And there were people who were actively trying to undermine our campaign that we’re not going to forget.”

The remark came after he made an obvious reference to the Brooklyn Democratic Party chair in his victory speech.

Bichotte Hermelyn had assailed Brannan throughout his race, but sought on Election Day to temper her attacks on her fellow Democrat.

“It is disappointing that my call for accountability is being twisted to advance a false narrative,” she said in a statement.

A week earlier, she had highlighted “a barrage of concerns and disturbing allegations against Councilman Justin Brannan for harassing and tormenting an ex-staff member with autism,” a statement that landed on a mailer from Brannan’s GOP rival, Ari Kagan. – Emily Ngo and Jason Beeferman

More from the city:
— Adams hired a powerful law firm amid investigation into his campaign. (POLITICO Pro)

— Mayor’s campaign took money from leaders of a foundation backed by the Turkish president. (The City)

— New York City may be teetering on a fiscal cliff, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and a budget watchdog warn. (Crain’s)

GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaign boasted raising $1.5 million for the state's Democratic committee in a campaign memo. | Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of the Governor

CAMPAIGN MEMOS: Victory has a thousand fathers and just as many campaign memos.

The progressive Working Families touted victories in local-level races across New York this week, highlighting little-watched campaigns where the organization believes its ballot line made the difference.

That includes races like the Ulster County district attorney campaign, where Democrat Manny Nneji was successful, and farther south with New Rochelle mayoral candidate Yadira Ramos-Herbert.

“In a local election year, with many smaller offices up for grabs, engaging voters can prove a challenge,” WFP co-directors Jasmine Gripper and Ana María Archila wrote in a memo sent to party members. “Many candidates are running for the very first time. Some are balancing their jobs and caretaking responsibilities while running for office.”

The WFP is gearing up for next year, with key congressional races set to make New York a battleground for control of the House.

Hochul’s campaign, meanwhile, touted the $1.5 million she raised for the state Democratic Committee, which paid off, her political team wrote in, yes, its own memo.

“Last night, the investments paid dividends, with Democrats winning key races throughout the state,” her campaign said.

Republicans, of course, can count some victories as well: The party flipped the Suffolk County executive’s office and a City Council seat in the Bronx while also winning several mayoral seats in upstate cities.

“For the third year in a row, Republicans in New York had a great night, defending incumbents and winning upset victories across the state,” GOP Chair Ed Cox said. – Nick Reisman

CHANGES TO TEACHER EVALUATIONS: Legislation that would drastically change the way New York’s teachers are assessed stalled last year due to a lack of consensus on the terms between stakeholders such as the Education Department and NYSUT.

They may be close to reaching an agreement on legislation that can be brought to a vote during session, but there are still some details to be ironed out. NYSUT president Melinda Person told Playbook the sides need to finalize it as early as January when session starts.

“We have an agreement in broad strokes about the type of evaluation system that all of the stakeholders are on board with. It’s really how we transition from the current one to the new one,” Person said in an interview. “Those details are the piece that we’re still working on. But we know where we’re headed.” – Katelyn Cordero

EXPELLING HATE: Republican state Sen. Jim Tedisco will propose legislation on Thursday to expel any student at New York’s public colleges and universities who is convicted of a hate crime, his office told Playbook.

The measure comes as the heated debate over the Israel-Hamas war has upended college campuses across the country and raised heightened concerns over antisemitism.

“We have a fiduciary responsibility as guardians of taxpayer funds to ensure that those despicable individuals who are convicted of hate crimes lose that privilege of getting a taxpayer-funded education at our state colleges and universities,” Tedisco said. – Nick Reisman

More from Albany:
— State lawmakers want to add 31 hate crimes to the current statute. (Gothamist)

— Cannabis farmers in New York say they are at their breaking point. (Syracuse.com) 

— Republicans made gains in parts of New York on Election Day. It has 2024 implications. (POLITICO)

A message from Healthcare Education Project:

— Democrat Zak Malamed dropped his campaign to take on Republican Rep. George Santos. (POLITICO) 

— Following months of indecision, Westchester County Executive George Latimer is expected to launch a highly anticipated primary challenge to Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the next few weeks. (Jewish Insider)

— The tense battle between a Westchester town and state officials over a residential center and school for troubled and vulnerable children and teens. (LoHud)

— A Buffalo landlord on trial for exposing his tenants to lead paint is asking the court to hear from his rabbi in an unusual request. (Buffalo News)

— Ten members of the Gambino crime family were arrested on racketeering charges yesterday. (The Daily Mail)

PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW.

MAKING MOVES — Colleen Moore will be joining the United Methodist Church’s general board of church and society as director of peace with justice. She’s also a board member at Peace Action New York State. … Sarah Gruen is now senior director of speechwriting for the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield. She previously served as a senior director at West Wing Writers.

WHAT WALL STREET IS READING – “Louise Linton, 42, reveals she has welcomed a baby girl with former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, 60, as she shares her joy at fulfilling her ‘dream of experiencing motherhood’” – per The Daily Mail

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Nancy Jacobson of No Labels … former Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) … Sarah Isgur … Sunshine Sachs’ Claire Tonneson … Matthew Dolan … Jill Shatzen Kerr

(WAS WEDNESDAY): Charles Wertman

— How do developers and brokers price luxury pads? Some say it has a lot to do with “aspirational pricing.” (The Real Deal)

— The owner of New York’s Chrysler building is facing serious financial troubles. (Bloomberg)

A message from Healthcare Education Project:

All New Yorkers deserve equal access to quality healthcare, no matter their income or ZIP code. Yet today, Medicaid pays New York’s hospitals 30% less than the actual cost of care for the low-income individuals the program covers, including children, the disabled, and seniors. But hospitals give all of their patients 100%, each and every day. Medicaid underpayments have already meant cuts to mental health services and maternity care.

Albany can fix this injustice: Stop Medicaid underpayments and help hospitals stay open. The federal government will pay half the cost of closing the Medicaid funding gap, it’s a huge savings for New York. Tell Albany: End the Medicaid funding crisis now.

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