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New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Flailing Dems vying for NYC mayor likely to take aim at Trump in final debate tonight—after attacks on frontrunner Andrew Cuomo fall flat
Desperate mayoral hopefuls will likely take aim at President Trump during the final Democratic primary debate Thursday night — after sparing with frontrunner Andrew Cuomo last week did little to move the needle with voters, experts said. Cuomo and repeated runner-up Zohran Mamdani have already seemingly attempted to capitalize on Trump bashing, pitching their plans to fight the White House this week as protests against federal immigration enforcement raids rage in Los Angeles. 'To the people who are open to a Mamdani candidacy, it's a golden opportunity to further that dynamic,' Andrew Kirtzman, managing director of the consulting firm Actum, said of the Democratic socialist Queens assemblyman, who is known for taking part in dramatic demonstrations. Advertisement 'But I think a lot of people, majority of New Yorkers, especially ones who are furious at Trump, are hesitant about this descending into violence, and that plays into Cuomo's hands,' Kirtzman said. 'He could [capitalize] by saying he's the only one who could keep the city under control.' 4 How mayoral hopefuls will deal with President Donald Trump is expected to be a key part of the candidates' pitches to New Yorkers during the final debate. AP Advertisement The two top polling candidates are slated to square off at 7 p.m. at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater for the final debate, which will be hosted by Spectrum NY1. Also on stage will be: City Comptroller Brad Lander, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, former Comptroller Scott Stringer and former hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson. 4 Mayoral candidate and former governor Andrew Cuomo has been the frontrunner before entering the race. Matthew McDermott 4 DSA lawmaker Zohran Mamdani caught fire early on in the race and has been in second place in the polls for weeks. Gregory P. Mango Advertisement Democratic operative and lobbyist Yvette Buckner said the 'zeitgeist' of the race has shifted drastically from 'an affordability crisis to defending our democracy.' 'We're going to see the candidates sharpening their talking points around that to use at the debate,' she said. During the first debate June 4, Cuomo was front and center of the vast majority of jabs and haymakers from the poorer polling hopefuls — but the attacks seemingly failed to move the minds of many voters. A Honan Strategy Group poll conducted last week and released Wednesday still had the ex-gov pulling in 38% in the first round of the ranked-choice voting contest, compared to Mamdani's 22%, and winning after seven rounds. Advertisement The lack of movement in the polls comes despite Mamdani nabbing the endorsement of lefty firebrand New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But the Honan survey was conducted before Cuomo scored the backing of former Mayor Mike Bloomberg on Tuesday. The president and his policies could dominate the discussion Thursday as Democratic party leaders struggle to deal with Trump's second term and the mayoral candidates look to break out of the crowded field with under two weeks to the June 24 primary. 4 State Sen. Jessica Ramos, who has endorsed Cuomo, and former Assemblyman Rev. Michael Blake did not make the cut for the final debate. AP 'They can't tee off on Trump about NYC chaos because he ' promised' (Mayor Eric) Adams he wouldn't call in the National Guard as long as the mayor keeps a lid on things,' said political operative Ken Frydman, noting The Post's reporting of the vow the president made to Chief John Chell on the golf course this past weekend. 'But they'll still go after Trump on his immigration crackdown, provoking protests in the city.' Kirtzman warned that the recent anti-ICE demonstrations and anti-Trump protests could throw a 'major wrench in the race.' 'There is a smoldering anger at Trump in the party that is about to explode,' he said. 'All of the candidates, including Cuomo, are going to go really hard on Trump.'
Politico
12-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
Following New York City lobbying push, DoorDash spends $1M on Cuomo's mayoral bid
NEW YORK — Online food delivery firm DoorDash recently gave $1 million to the super PAC boosting Democrat Andrew Cuomo's New York City mayoral bid — the single largest donation in the race. It follows the company's lobbying push last year, when it reported spending nearly $500,000 getting an audience with City Hall officials and lawmakers on a bill to let delivery platforms charge restaurants higher fees, among other issues. The seven-figure donation will give the pro-Cuomo group, Fix the City, more firepower to support the frontrunner ahead of the June 24 Democratic primary, which polls show he is heavily favored to win. The donation will be included in the super PAC's weekly filing on Monday. In addition to paying its own staff to lobby, DoorDash has hired several firms including Actum, which employs one of Cuomo's early endorsers — former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who is also on Fix the City's board. Diaz is on listed on DoorDash's lobbying disclosures through his work at Actum, but he and Actum Partner Michael McKeon said the ex-politician has never worked on behalf of the delivery company. DoorDash is regulated by state and city officials on issues like tipping workers and minimum wage requirements. The company previously signaled it would donate this year to 'pro-local economy' candidates in New York City and state-level New Jersey races. 'In recent years we've seen a wave of policies emerge from New York City that, while well-intentioned, have often had unintended consequences,' John Horton, the company's head of public policy for North America, said in a statement. 'These policies have made it harder for local businesses, Dashers, and consumers to thrive. We're committed to supporting leaders who prioritize practical, pro-local economy solutions that encourage growth and innovation. In New York's mayoral race, we believe Governor Cuomo represents the kind of leadership that can deliver on those goals.' Fix the City has raised more than $8 million — and spent north of $3 million — since forming in March, largely from real estate executives and pro-Trump people like billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The group is helmed by Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant. 'We continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo's candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,' super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said. Two of Cuomo's rivals have super PACs supporting their candidacies, but those groups are not expected to match the money being raised by Fix the City. A group backing Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's candidacy has reported raising less than $88,000; a super PAC aligned with former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has yet to report any fundraising. Campaign finance regulators recently warned mayoral campaigns against coordinating with outside groups after Cuomo's campaign used a legal practice known as 'redboxing' to communicate his preferred communications strategy, POLITICO reported. The New York City Campaign Finance Board moved last year to tighten rules against passing messages between campaigns and super PACs. Cuomo's campaign and Fix the City have insisted they are following the law.
Bloomberg
07-04-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Trump Tariffs Send Global Stocks into Freefall Again
The stampede from global equities gathered momentum Monday and investors piled into haven assets as the fallout from US President Donald Trump's tariffs deepened. European stocks tumbled on Monday morning, approaching a bear market. President Trump and his economic team dismissed investors' fears of inflation and recession, offering no apologies for the market turmoil and defiantly insisting a boom is on the horizon. Trump, speaking Sunday on Air Force One, struck a determined tone and repeatedly defended the tariff barrage unveiled last week. He also drew something of a line in the sand, saying he wouldn't strike deals to cut the highest tariffs unless they eliminate the US trade deficit with that country. Today's guests: Lucy Baldwin, Citi; Morris Reid, Actum; David O'Sullivan, EU Sanctions Envoy; Ian Livingstone, Hiro Capital (Source: Bloomberg)
