Latest news with #DistrictCouncil37
New York Times
23-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Adrienne Adams Lands Two Major Endorsements for N.Y.C. Mayor
Adrienne Adams, the City Council speaker vying to become the first female mayor of New York City, will announce two major endorsements on Wednesday that could provide momentum in the crowded race. Ms. Adams will receive endorsements from Letitia James, the state attorney general, and from District Council 37, the city's largest municipal union. Ms. James, who is broadly popular among Democrats in New York, plans to appear with Ms. Adams at a campaign rally on Wednesday. 'Adrienne Adams is a fearless leader who puts people over politics,' Ms. James said in a statement. 'She has repeatedly stood up for New Yorkers and won, keeping libraries open and protecting child care for families.' Ms. James also praised Ms. Adams for 'leading the city's fight against the Trump administration,' including her opposition to allowing federal immigration authorities to open offices at the Rikers Island jail complex. Ms. Adams entered the race later than the eight other major Democratic candidates in the June 24 primary, and she has yet to break through in public polling. The dual endorsements may aid her argument that she has the institutional support to defeat the current front-runner, former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Mr. Cuomo has won support from most major unions so far. But District Council 37 represents roughly 150,000 members and more than 80,000 retirees, and its endorsement of Eric Adams in the 2021 mayor's race helped him win a competitive Democratic primary. The union released a statement on Tuesday night naming Ms. Adams as its first choice, followed by Zohran Mamdani and Zellnor Myrie, two state lawmakers, calling them 'pro-worker candidates.' Mr. Adams, who is not related to the City Council speaker, has record-low approval ratings and decided to run as an independent in the general election in November. He was indicted last year on federal corruption charges that were later dropped under pressure from the Trump administration. Ms. Adams is running on a message of experience and integrity, highlighting her role negotiating the city's $114 billion budget and offering herself as a scandal-free alternative to Mr. Cuomo and Mr. Adams. Mr. Cuomo resigned in 2021 after a series of sexual harassment allegations that he denies; Mr. Adams was the first sitting mayor in the city's modern history to face a federal indictment. Ms. James has an acrimonious history with Mr. Cuomo: She led a state investigation into the allegations against him and released a scathing report that found that he had harassed at least 11 women. Mr. Cuomo has argued that the allegations were politically motivated. Ms. James considered running for mayor herself, but decided to stay in her current job, where she has repeatedly challenged President Trump in court. Ms. James encouraged Ms. Adams to run for mayor, and will now campaign by her side and use her political capital to help her. Ms. Adams, a moderate Democrat from southeast Queens, said in a statement that she was proud to have the attorney general's support. 'She's never backed down from holding the powerful accountable — no matter the cost,' she said. 'Together, we'll protect New York from Donald Trump and always put the people first.' Ms. Adams has also received support from the left-leaning Working Families Party, which endorsed her and three other Democrats: Brad Lander, the city comptroller; Mr. Mamdani, a state assemblyman; and Mr. Myrie, a state senator. Mr. Mamdani is in second place behind Mr. Cuomo with about 16 percent of voters, according to a recent Siena College poll. Ms. Adams and Mr. Lander each had 6 percent in the poll, and Mr. Myrie had 4 percent. Democrats who oppose Mr. Cuomo are starting to coalesce behind Ms. Adams, Mr. Mamdani and Mr. Lander, hoping that they will work together and encouraging voters to list all three under the city's relatively new ranked-choice voting system.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New York City union breaks with labor trend to back Adrienne Adams over Cuomo for mayor
NEW YORK — The city's largest municipal union is breaking with its labor counterparts in rejecting Andrew Cuomo's bid for mayor, instead endorsing a slate led by City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. District Council 37, which represents 150,000 New Yorkers who are predominantly Black and Latino, selected Adrienne Adams as its top pick, followed by state Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie. The decision marks a significant departure from the near-unanimous support Cuomo has earned from New York City unions — large and small, public and private — since announcing his run last month. 'We're proud to endorse these pro-worker candidates in the June primary and look forward to getting out the vote in support of their campaigns,' Henry Garrido, executive director of the union, said in a statement. 'At a time when workers' rights are being ripped apart at the federal level, it's more important than ever to elect local candidates who will fight for working families and the services we all rely on." Adrienne Adams needs the support: She got into the race late, has yet to raise enough money to qualify for matching funds and is in single digits in the polls. Garrido was instrumental to her come-from-behind bid for Council speaker in 2021, and helped Eric Adams win the mayoralty that same year. He's taking a big risk by endorsing against Cuomo, the front-runner who — if elected — would hold enormous sway over the union's contract and health care benefits. The mayor is running for reelection as an independent following his federal corruption case being dropped at the behest of the Trump administration. That opened up DC 37 and other unions that had supported him to pick different candidates in the June 24 Democratic primary. 'Having DC 37 really matters — especially if you're not Andrew Cuomo,' said Democratic strategist Trip Yang, who is unaffiliated with any of the mayoral campaigns. 'Because if you're not Cuomo, labor endorsements are hard to come by.' Cuomo's endorsement dominance has included backing from heavy hitters like the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and service workers union 32BJ SEIU, both of which boast robust political operations that can provide practical benefits to campaigns. DC 37, however, will offer a countervailing force. Like those unions, DC 37 largely comprises New York City residents who are registered Democrats. And because the union typically does internal promotions for its chosen candidates — in addition to door knocking and phone banking — that could translate to a boost at the ballot box. 'The likely Democratic voter turnout is around 900,000 in the June primary,' Yang said. 'So this is important.' The union could also do an independent expenditure on behalf of a preferred candidate, though a spokesperson did not divulge whether the organization plans to counteract a pro-Cuomo Super PAC that has nearly $5 million as of the most recent filing. DC 37's support of Adrienne Adams provides a challenge to the former governor's so-far successful strategy of courting Black voters in the outer boroughs. The Council speaker represents Southeast Queens, a vote-rich neighborhood, and has launched acerbic attacks against the former state executive who has won political endorsements in her own backyard. Mamdani is polling second, but still trails Cuomo by double digits. The state lawmaker represents the clearest contrast to the former governor: He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel. Other major labor organizations — including the United Federation of Teachers and 1199 SEIU — remain undecided. A spokesperson for Cuomo declined to comment.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brooklyn Museum, union reach agreement to prevent layoffs for now
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) — After weeks of protests and negotiations, the Brooklyn Museum and District Council 37 have reached a breakthrough agreement to prevent layoffs for nearly 50 workers. The deal, finalized late Sunday night, introduces a voluntary separation package designed to offer alternatives to layoffs while addressing the museum's financial challenges. More Local News The voluntary separation package includes several benefits for employees who choose to participate: Three weeks' pay for every year of service A reference letter from museum leadership to assist in finding new employment COBRA health insurance paid by the museum for up to four months Retirement incentives for eligible employees This agreement comes as the museum faces a $10 million budget deficit, which had initially led to plans for widespread layoffs. The voluntary separation plan aims to reduce costs while minimizing the impact on staff. District Council 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido praised the agreement as a victory for union advocacy. 'We secured an agreement that is fair and results in no layoffs for our members. The outcome of these negotiations is a testament to the power of union representation. When we fight together, we win,' Garrido said. He also emphasized the need for sustainable funding for New York City's cultural institutions moving forward. The Brooklyn Museum expressed its satisfaction with the resolution, stating, 'We are pleased to reach a mutual agreement on a voluntary separation program with our unions.' However, the museum noted that depending on participation in the program and additional funding from the city, further workforce reductions might still be necessary. The agreement follows weeks of protests by union members and a special oversight hearing at City Hall. Union leaders had criticized the museum's initial layoff plans, citing insufficient notice and a lack of exploration into alternative cost-saving measures such as furloughs. The delay in layoffs provided additional time for negotiations and discussions about potential city funding. While this deal provides temporary relief, the museum's financial challenges remain significant. New York City Council members are still considering allocating additional funds to help close the institution's budget gap. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Top Dem launches late run for New York City mayor
NEW YORK — New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is running for mayor, making a late entrance into the Democratic primary to unseat indicted Mayor Eric Adams. Her decision stands to shake up the race as her traditional base of support overlaps with that of the two scandal-scarred executives headlining the contest: Mayor Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 'New Yorkers can't afford to live here, City Hall is in chaos, and Donald Trump is corrupting our city's independence. It's time to stand up,' Speaker Adams said in a statement. 'I never planned to run for Mayor, but I'm not giving up on New York City,' she added. 'Our city deserves a leader that serves its people first and always, not someone focused on themselves and their own political interests. I'm a public servant, mother, Queens girl and I'm running for Mayor. No drama, no nonsense—just my commitment to leading with competence and integrity.' She's expected to begin petitioning for ballot access immediately, according to a person familiar with her plans who was granted anonymity to discuss private conversations. She is also planning to hold a campaign rally Saturday in her home borough of Queens. This would be Speaker Adams' first citywide race and the low-profile legislative leader would need to quickly fundraise and build out a team with fewer than four months until the June 24 Democratic primary. She has low name recognition and very little time to qualify for the city's public matching funds program — all but essential for anyone running for mayor. Speaker Adams endorsed Eric Adams for mayor in 2021, but the two — who attended high school together and bear no relation — have had an increasingly tense relationship. They have battled over police reform, housing voucher policy and the balance of power in city government, and she eviscerated him for attending the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump instead of local Martin Luther King Jr. Day events last month. Her decision comes more than a week after candidates began petitioning to get on the ballot and reflects deep anxiety among elements of New York's Democratic establishment about their options in the primary. As of Wednesday, Cuomo — who entered the race over the weekend — appears to be the frontrunner, capturing 31 percent of registered Democrats voters in a Quinnipiac Poll that put Speaker Adams at 4 percent. But the survey did not offer a simulation of ranked-choice voting, which can alter the outcome of an election. The speaker has only won an election in her individual council district and, unlike her predecessors, wasn't planning to run for higher office throughout her tenure. She only recently became convinced to jump into the primary following a recruitment campaign from Attorney General Letitia James and leaders of District Council 37, the city's largest public workers union, POLITICO first reported last month. Deputy council Speaker Diana Ayala tried to spin her colleague's longstanding political reticence into a positive. 'We need to stop recycling the same type of politician,' she told POLITICO. 'There's just too much at stake right now to play politics. We need somebody that's actually going to focus on the leading and not on the publicity.' Speaker Adams attended a candidate screening forum of the politically influential union 32BJ SEIU — which represents building service workers — Saturday and has avoided opportunities in recent days to go after Cuomo. But Speaker Adams unleashed frustration Tuesday with the state of leadership in New York as she delivered an annual speech, saying 'New York City is bigger than one person, and our city deserves leadership that prioritizes its people over individual glory or interests.' 'We need solutions more than slogans,' she added, 'service rather than saviors and partnership over patriarchy.' She got an early, positive reception from the city's public advocate, Jumaane Williams, who is first in line to replace the mayor if he were to resign. Williams, a self-described activist elected official, has already backed City Comptroller Brad Lander's candidacy but offered warm words for Speaker Adams. 'I am very excited about Adrienne. Very excited. I want to see what she brings. My main focus is DREAM. Gotta make DREAM happen. 'Don't Rank Eric or Andrew for Mayor,' Williams said in an interview Wednesday. 'Let's live the dream. And I think she can be a part of that.' Speaker Adams' entrance speaks to dissatisfaction with the mayor, who received a paltry 20 percent approval rating in Wednesday's Quinnipiac poll. Mayor Adams came under fire after President Donald Trump's Justice Department moved to dismiss his federal corruption case to secure the mayor's help with immigration enforcement. Cuomo looms as a leading contender, but some political players dread the return of his domineering style and view his past scandals as disqualifying. Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 following sexual misconduct accusations, which he has denied. Other challengers have yet to break through, recent polling shows — though they have about 16 weeks to change the trajectory of the race. Those poll results have sown doubts about their ability to overcome Cuomo's persistent popularity, and some political and labor leaders would prefer a mayor with more moderate politics than many in the left-leaning field. Enter Speaker Adams, a 64-year-old former corporate trainer for Fortune 500 companies who hails from a vote-rich section of southeast Queens that's predominantly home to older Black Democrats. The speaker is known to business, real estate and political players around the city through her legislative leadership role, but her public name recognition is nowhere near that of Cuomo or the mayor. A churchgoing grandmother, she's a graduate of Spelman College and is active with her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority — both prominent Black institutions with ties to fundraising operations. She stands to compete for votes in central Brooklyn and southeast Queens, both of which are predominantly Black and key to Cuomo's path to victory. New York City voters have never elected a woman as mayor. The only female competing so far, state Sen. Jessica Ramos, has struggled to raise money. Speaker Adams presides over the first female majority council in city history — a fact she's been proud to mention regularly. She will need to immediately raise a lot of money. She had just $211,000 in a city campaign account as of her last filing, compared to the $3 to $4 million other contenders have. But she won't be eligible for a payment from the city's public funds program until mid-April at the earliest, as POLITICO reported last week. She is not known as an eager fundraiser, and if she doesn't bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars soon, she may not unlock matching funds until May 30, just weeks before the primary. Council speakers have run for mayor before. Christine Quinn was an early front runner in 2013 before losing to Bill de Blasio. Quinn's bid — and the failed citywide attempts of speakers before and after her — underscore the pitfalls associated with seeking citywide office as a legislative leader. Council speakers are responsible for balancing the often disparate interests of 50 other council members, leading to controversial bills and real estate and budget decisions. The right-leaning New York Post already ran an op-ed slamming her as 'in thrall to the antisemitic left,' in part for considering a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas. Speaker Adams did not end up bringing any resolution for a vote. Under her leadership, the council opposed Mayor Adams' budget cuts, refused to entertain any rollback of sanctuary city policies and joined a lawsuit challenging him for refusing to implement the council's laws expanding access to housing rental vouchers. The speaker also overrode the mayor's vetoes on a pair of bills increasing oversight on police and correction officers, and lambasted him for acting like a 'king' for pushing through ballot proposals meant to increase his influence in the legislative process. Speaker Adams' platform for a mayoral campaign isn't clear yet. But at her State of the City address Tuesday, she suggested she'd pitch herself as somebody above politics. 'Throughout my time in office, I've been labeled as a 'moderate' in people's attempt to make sense of who I am,' she said. 'But my focus has always been public service, which has no political label.'
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Adams skips mayoral forum, cites federal corruption case
NEW YORK (PIX11) — Mayor Eric Adams skipped a public forum hosted by New York City's largest municipal union Wednesday night. In a statement that was read at the start of the event, Adams said it was 'on the advice of counsel' while he 'awaits the conclusion of his case,' a reference to his federal corruption case. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Six of the other Democrats who want to be the next New York City Mayor gathered instead on stage for the District Council 37 Mayoral Forum at the Borough of Manhattan Community College Wednesday night. On the stage from left to right were State Senator Jessica Ramos, Former State Assemblyman Michael Blake, Former City Comptroller Scott Stringer, State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, City Comptroller Brad Lander and State Senator Zellnor Myrie. Each candidate gave an opening and closing statement and then sat for 2 hours of questions from a moderator. Repeat topics included affordable housing, child care, after school programs, homelessness and crime. Blake said at one point, 'We should not have cops addressing mental health concerns cause they weren't trained to do that in the first place.' Myrie said, 'I want 24/7 police and clinician trios that are actually getting people into stabilization.' Ramos said, 'Retaining our teachers, making they have the funds to maintain their classrooms and not dipping into their own pockets is really important.' Stringer said, 'I'm going to prioritize making sure that we baseline our childcare funding, that we work with our state partners to get the resources.' More Local News Mamdani pledged to make the city affordable again, adding 'We're going to do it by freezing the rent, we're going to do it building 200,000 new affordable union-built homes. ' Lander pledged if he's elected mayor, he will 'be your partner in ending street homelessness, in getting affordable housing built, in getting universal child care.' District Council 37 President, Shaun D. Francois told PIX11 News they have not decided who to endorse yet in the race, despite having supported Eric Adams in the last election. Francois said, 'We got to do what we got to do to make sure the proper candidate gets in office, not because of stereotypes or nonsense or morale, but for what he's going to do for the City of New York.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
