Latest news with #MercuryPublicAffairs
Politico
23-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
Denmark goes to K Street amid Greenland standoff
With Daniel Lippman FARA FRIDAY: The Danish Embassy in Washington has enlisted some PR firepower amid President Donald Trump's threats to seize the semi-autonomous Danish island of Greenland. — The Embassy last month retained Mercury Public Affairs, the K Street home of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles before she joined the administration. The firm will provide a range of services including public opinion research, messaging development, reputation management, social media monitoring, positive storytelling and media relations, according to documents filed with the Justice Department. — The four-month contract is worth $263,000, DOJ filings show, and the team working on the account for Mercury includes Ashley Bauman, Trent Lefkowitz, Scott Pollenz and James Anderson. — Denmark's PR blitz comes amid months of posturing by the Trump administration over the president's Greenland threats. Vice President JD Vance visited a Space Force base on Greenland in March, but the trip was scaled back amid backlash from Greenlanders as well as Danish officials over Trump's annexation rhetoric. — Earlier this month, Trump told NBC News' Kristen Welker he wouldn't rule out the use of military force to acquire the island, which boasts a trove of rare earth mineral reserves and occupies a strategic spot in the Arctic. Meanwhile, the U.S. has ordered ramped-up intelligence-gathering efforts 'to identify people in Greenland and Denmark who support U.S. objectives for the island,' the Wall Street Journal reported. IN OTHER FARA NEWS: Ballard Partners has registered to lobby for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, Taiwan's de facto embassy in the U.S., as the island works to avert steep tariffs and remain on the Trump administration's good side with regard to defense spending. — TECRO will pay the firm a monthly retainer of $60,000 to 'engage in lobbying and public relations by communicating with U.S. government officials' to promote Taiwan's interests and economic development initiatives and shape policy outcomes, according to a copy of the contract filed with DOJ. Jasmine Zaki, who leads Ballard's Middle East and North Africa practice, will work on the account along with Brian Ballard, Syl Lukis and former foreign service officer Aaron Sampson. — Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory, would have been hit with a 32 percent tariff on all exports to the U.S. under Trump's so-called reciprocal tariffs that are currently on pause. At a Commerce Department foreign investment summit this month, Taiwan sent the largest delegation out of hundreds of countries as officials touted Taiwanese investments in the U.S. — including an additional $100 billion pledged by semiconductor giant TSMC in March. Taipei has also been lobbying U.S. officials to let it buy American-made drones. — Though this is Ballard's first time working directly for the Taiwanese government, the two sides have done business before. From 2022 until last year, the firm lobbied on behalf of the Guatemalan government under an unusual arrangement in which Taipei footed the bill. TGIF and welcome to PI. A quick programming note: We'll be off on Monday for the holiday, but PI will be back in your inboxes Tuesday. In the meantime, shoot me some tips. You can add me on Signal, email me at coprysko@ and be sure to follow me on X: @caitlinoprysko. THE LONG ARM OF ELON: 'Billionaire Elon Musk's DOGE team is expanding use of his artificial intelligence chatbot Grok in the U.S. federal government to analyze data, said three people familiar with the matter, potentially violating conflict-of-interest laws and putting at risk sensitive information on millions of Americans,' according to Reuters' Marisa Taylor and Alexandra Ulmer. — 'Such use of Grok could reinforce concerns among privacy advocates and others that Musk's Department of Government Efficiency team appears to be casting aside long-established protections over the handling of sensitive data as President Donald Trump shakes up the U.S. bureaucracy.' — While specifics about what data had been used thus far were unclear, technology and government ethics experts warned that 'if the data was sensitive or confidential government information, the arrangement could violate security and privacy laws' in addition to potentially providing the Tesla and SpaceX CEO with 'access to valuable nonpublic federal contracting data at agencies he privately does business with,' which could also be used to train the AI model. MORE NEW BUSINESS: Several more targets of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s MAHA movement brought on new lobbyists in recent weeks, in the lead-up to yesterday's report on chronic disease among children, per new disclosure filings. — The National Oilseed Processors Association — which represents soybean, canola, flaxseed, safflower seed and sunflower seed oil producers — and the Edible Oil Producers Association — which represents producers of edible fats and oils used in cooking and baking — retained Food Directions' Maggie Gentile beginning last month to lobby on issues related to the use and regulation of such products. — Kennedy has previously warned that American consumers are being 'unknowingly poisoned' by seed oils used by fast food restaurants. But Thursday's MAHA Commission report was tamer, comparing the nutritional differences between 'ultra-processed fats' and animal-based ones in a section bemoaning the displacement of 'nutrient-dense whole foods' in Americans' diets. — Even that triggered pushback from seed oil groups, with NOPA accusing the commission of 'undermining' seed oils 'without credible scientific justification' and urging it to 'remain grounded in sound, evidence-based nutrition science.' — Mars Inc., the food conglomerate whose brands include M&M's, Dove, Kind and Ben's Rice, brought on The Duberstein Group at the beginning of May, according to a disclosure filing. — Ben Howard, a former Trump White House and Steve Scalise aide; Dave Schiappa, a former Mitch McConnell aide; Kate Keating, a former Joe Crowley chief of staff; and Elizabeth Kelley, a former Obama White House and Max Baucus aide, have been working on issues related to food safety, health, supply chain, tax and trade policy. SCHLAPP PICKS UP SOME NEW CLIENTS: Matt Schlapp's lobbying roster has grown for the first time since the end of the previous Trump administration. The Trump ally and head of the American Conservative Union registered to lobby this week for a pair of new clients, the investment firm Xtellus Partners and investigative data company LeadsOnline. — Schlapp began working for both companies last month, according to disclosure filings, advising Xtellus on a sanctions waiver application and lobbying on funding for the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network on behalf of LeadsOnline. — Schlapp's lobbying firm Cove Strategies has largely been dormant since Trump left office in 2021. The firm parted ways with half a dozen clients after Trump lost reelection, including Samsung and eHealth, according to lobbying disclosures. — Software giant Oracle has been the firm's only lobbying client in the meantime, paying Schlapp $50,000 each quarter to lobby Congress on 'general tech issues' — even as Schlapp was accused of sexual misconduct in a 2023 lawsuit by a Republican operative. (The operative dropped the lawsuit last year following a six-figure settlement and described the accusations as a 'misunderstanding.') Schlapp, LeadsOnline and Xtellus did not respond to requests for comment. $1M WELL SPENT: 'Apple shares dropped as much as 3% Friday after President Donald Trump threatened the tech giant with a 25% tariff if it does not start producing iPhones in the U.S. — his latest salvo directly targeting a U.S. company over how it conducts its business,' NBC's Rob Wile and Steve Kopack report. — 'In a post on his Truth Social platform Friday morning, Trump wrote he had 'long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone's that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.'' — 'In remarks to the press early Friday afternoon, Trump clarified that any tariff imposed on Apple would also apply to devices imported by companies like Samsung 'and any other company that makes that product.'' FLYING IN: Local leaders from State Municipal Leagues around the country were in town this week as part of a fly-in organized by the National League of Cities to rally support for key policy issues in D.C. Those included ensuring the reconciliation bill doesn't strip a tax exemption for municipal bonds and ensuring reliable disaster relief and resuming the flow of federal funding that's affected local services. Participants met with offices on the Hill in addition to OMB, DOT, HUD, FEMA and EPA. — Meta was also on the Hill on Thursday with nearly 140 small business owners from the tech giant's Meta Boost Leaders Network to discuss Meta's AI tools and the importance of targeted advertising in growing their businesses. The group met with more than 50 offices on both sides of the Capitol as part of the second tech-backed fly-in this month featuring small business owners highlighting the benefits of online ad targeting. Jobs report — Brett McGurk has joined Cisco as special adviser for the Middle East and international affairs. He's a non-resident senior fellow at Harvard's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and previously was NSC coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa. — David Sours is now a director of federal government affairs at Philip Morris International. He previously was with Rep. Buddy Carter's (R-Ga.) office and is a Phil Gingrey, Jody Hice and Drew Ferguson alum. — Jerrob Duffy is now a partner at Hogan Lovells. He previously was a partner at Squire Patton Boggs. — Sofia Rose Haft is now director of strategic partnerships at Anduril Industries. She was previously the company's director of communications and formerly served as head of policy at Snapchat. She is also a public affairs officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. — Jed Mandel is stepping down as president of the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association after 50 years with the trade group, 25 of which were spent leading it. — Will Boyington has joined NASA as senior adviser to the associate administrator for communications, Morning Defense reports. He was previously the external communications director at Blue Origin and has held roles at the National Space Council, Rep. Dan Newhouse's office, and the House Oversight Committee. — JPMorganChase has launched the Center for Geopolitics, a new client advisory service led by Derek Chollet, the former State Department counsellor and former chief of staff to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, per MD. New Joint Fundraisers Oklahomans for Al Green (Keep Al Green in Congress, Oklahoma Democratic Party) New PACs Always Free (Leadership PAC: Tom Willis) CONSERVATIVE VALUES FOR LOUISIANA (Super PAC) Eastern North Carolina - ENCPAC (Leadership PAC: Sandy Roberson) Progressive Values Illinois (Super PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Actum I, LLC: Seiu Local 32Bj Arentfox Schiff LLP: Holcim (US) Inc. Giizhik Law Pllc: Inupiat Community Of The Arctic Slope Giizhik Law Pllc: Red Lake Band Of Chippewa Indians Giizhik Law Pllc: Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Jpc Strategies, LLC: Abilene Chamber Of Commerce Klein Law Group Pllc: Etheridge Pipeline & Conduit, LLC Mason Street Consulting, LLC: Stonington Global Obo Tl Management The Duberstein Group Inc.: Apiject Systems, Corp. The Duberstein Group Inc.: Cencora, Inc. The Duberstein Group Inc.: Mars Incorporated The Duberstein Group Inc.: Ursa Major Technologies, Inc. Tsg Advocates Dc, LLC: Parker Vision Inc. Tsg Advocates Dc, LLC: Protecting American Innovations, Inc. Valcour LLC: Aggreko US Valcour LLC: Magellan Investment Holdings, Ltd New Lobbying Terminations Capitol South, LLC: Mary Gaylord Mclean Capitol South, LLC: Melissa A. Moore Clark Hill Public Strategies LLC: Maxeon Solar Technologies Ltd. Courier Plus, Inc. Dba Dutchie: Courier Plus, Inc. Dba Dutchie Skladany Consulting LLC: Kasich Company On Behalf Of Atx Networks
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lobbying firms power frontrunner Andrew Cuomo's mayoral campaign
NEW YORK — Andrew Cuomo's mayoral campaign is intertwined with a New York City-based lobbying firm that is providing services for free and stands to have a top ally in City Hall if he wins. Cuomo's arrangement with Tusk Strategies is saving the Democratic frontrunner tens of thousands of dollars on consulting fees, based on a review of rates his rivals pay for similar services. That allows him to spend more money on direct outreach to voters in the form of TV ads, mailers and digital spots. The Democrat's campaign is employing at least four people from another major lobbying firm, Mercury Public Affairs, in Cuomo's bid to oust Mayor Eric Adams. Campaign spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said Mercury is being paid as a general consultancy. He then cited lobbyists working for opponents Zellnor Myrie, Adrienne Adams, Brad Lander and Eric Adams. Tusk presents a different case. The prominent firm, which ran Andrew Yang's 2021 mayoral campaign, has been playing an integral role in Cuomo's bid since before he entered the race in March, ahead of the June 24 primary. CEO Chris Coffey is involved in the campaign, providing communications advice to the former New York governor and handling outreach to the city's politically influential Orthodox Jewish leaders, as first reported by POLITICO. His business partner, Shontell Smith, works as the political director of Cuomo's campaign. Tusk Strategies paid for two public polls — one in February, released days before Cuomo entered the race, and a second less than month after the March campaign launch — which found the former governor handily leading the primary field. Both surveys were conducted by the Honan Strategy Group and helped solidify a perception of inevitability around Cuomo that helped with endorsements and fundraising. Coffey described his role as an 'informal advisor in a volunteer capacity.' Azzopardi said Smith is paid directly by the campaign 'in a personal capacity.' Coffey said the campaign does not take up much of his time, though three people familiar with his role in Cuomo's circle — who were granted anonymity to freely discuss its inner workings — recently described it as more involved than he did. Coffey's firm is also running a 501(c)(4) called 'Restore Sanity NYC,' whose literature matches Cuomo's campaign messaging — down to a photo of the remodeled LaGuardia Airport Terminal he oversaw as governor. The organization, first reported by The CITY and the New York Times, does not mention a candidate on its mailers. Its structure as a nonprofit allows it to raise and spend unlimited sums while shielding the identity of its donors during the race. Campaigns are legally barred from coordinating with super PACs, like the one that has raised some $9 million to boost Cuomo's mayoral bid. The city's Campaign Finance Board has withheld $622,056 in public matching funds as it investigates whether Cuomo's campaign coordinated with the PAC, Fix the City. Azzopardi has said he expects to receive the full amount of eligible matching funds once the regulators complete their probe. Groups like Restore Sanity NYC — which purport not to help any particular candidate — are not beholden to a prohibition on coordination. Nevertheless, Coffey and one of his employees — Alex Sommer — separately said the CEO is walled off from any involvement in the organization, following what the Times — and a person familiar with the matter — described as his outreach to potential donors in March. POLITICO reviewed an April 16 document memorializing that firewall. Tusk Strategies, of course, stands to gain financially from a share of the revenue raised by the group. 'I'm the CEO of a firm with 35 plus people and 40 plus clients with three offices around the country. I also chair two NYC nonprofits (Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy and WIN),' Coffey said in a statement. 'That, along with spending time with my two kids and my husband, take up the vast majority of my time and focus.' 'That being said,' he added, 'I love this city and care deeply about its future, which is why I've worked on or volunteered (Quinn, Cuomo) for every mayoral campaign for [the] last 25 years and am beyond proud to do the same for Andrew Cuomo.' Tusk was founded by its namesake, political consultant Bradley Tusk, who ran Mike Bloomberg's 2009 mayoral campaign. It primarily advises corporate clients and lobbies state agencies. Coffey also routinely consults New York politicians, and his firm ran most of Yang's campaign in house four years ago. Cuomo's campaign filing will be public in the coming days; it's not yet known how much his team is paying Mercury. Longtime Cuomo confidant Charlie King, one of the campaign's earliest hires, is a Mercury partner. King worked with Cuomo in the Clinton administration and was his preferred running mate during a disastrous 2002 run for governor, and the two men have remained close. POLITICO in January reported that King was vetting potential campaign staff. As Cuomo prepared to enter the race, Mercury announced the hiring of Jennifer Bayer Michaels, a former Cuomo fundraiser who does not lobby. She now serves as the Cuomo campaign's finance director. Ten days after Cuomo's March 1 entrance into the race, The New York Post reported his campaign hired Edu Hermelyn, a Mercury senior vice president, to be a 'political advisor.' Hermelyn is the husband of Democratic Party leader Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who endorsed Cuomo shortly after he entered the race. Jake Dilemani, a Mercury partner, was also involved in hiring staff, and is not listed as a lobbyist. 'It is not uncommon that public affairs professionals work for firms that also provide lobbying services,' Azzopardi said, citing four rivals' on-staff lobbyists — all of whom are being paid, per public filings and statements from those campaigns. 'While we are busy reaching voters and running a campaign, I'm sure POLITICO, with all of its sprawling resources, will do a careful review of all of the other candidates and their consultants who also lobby or work for firms that provide lobbying services.'
Politico
23-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
Lobbying firms power frontrunner Andrew Cuomo's mayoral campaign
NEW YORK — Andrew Cuomo's mayoral campaign is intertwined with a New York City-based lobbying firm that is providing services for free and stands to have a top ally in City Hall if he wins. Cuomo's arrangement with Tusk Strategies is saving the Democratic frontrunner tens of thousands of dollars on consulting fees, based on a review of rates his rivals pay for similar services. That allows him to spend more money on direct outreach to voters in the form of TV ads, mailers and digital spots. The Democrat's campaign is employing at least four people from another major lobbying firm, Mercury Public Affairs, in Cuomo's bid to oust Mayor Eric Adams. Campaign spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said Mercury is being paid as a general consultancy. He then cited lobbyists working for opponents Zellnor Myrie, Adrienne Adams, Brad Lander and Eric Adams. Tusk presents a different case. The prominent firm, which ran Andrew Yang's 2021 mayoral campaign, has been playing an integral role in Cuomo's bid since before he entered the race in March, ahead of the June 24 primary. CEO Chris Coffey is involved in the campaign, providing communications advice to the former New York governor and handling outreach to the city's politically influential Orthodox Jewish leaders, as first reported by POLITICO. His business partner, Shontell Smith, works as the political director of Cuomo's campaign. Tusk Strategies paid for two public polls — one in February, released days before Cuomo entered the race, and a second less than month after the March campaign launch — which found the former governor handily leading the primary field. Both surveys were conducted by the Honan Strategy Group and helped solidify a perception of inevitability around Cuomo that helped with endorsements and fundraising. Coffey described his role as an 'informal advisor in a volunteer capacity.' Azzopardi said Smith is paid directly by the campaign 'in a personal capacity.' Coffey said the campaign does not take up much of his time, though three people familiar with his role in Cuomo's circle — who were granted anonymity to freely discuss its inner workings — recently described it as more involved than he did. Coffey's firm is also running a 501(c)(4) called 'Restore Sanity NYC,' whose literature matches Cuomo's campaign messaging — down to a photo of the remodeled LaGuardia Airport Terminal he oversaw as governor. The organization, first reported by The CITY and the New York Times, does not mention a candidate on its mailers. Its structure as a nonprofit allows it to raise and spend unlimited sums while shielding the identity of its donors during the race. Campaigns are legally barred from coordinating with super PACs, like the one that has raised some $9 million to boost Cuomo's mayoral bid. The city's Campaign Finance Board has withheld $622,056 in public matching funds as it investigates whether Cuomo's campaign coordinated with the PAC, Fix the City. Azzopardi has said he expects to receive the full amount of eligible matching funds once the regulators complete their probe. Groups like Restore Sanity NYC — which purport not to help any particular candidate — are not beholden to a prohibition on coordination. Nevertheless, Coffey and one of his employees — Alex Sommer — separately said the CEO is walled off from any involvement in the organization, following what the Times — and a person familiar with the matter — described as his outreach to potential donors in March. POLITICO reviewed an April 16 document memorializing that firewall. Tusk Strategies, of course, stands to gain financially from a share of the revenue raised by the group. 'I'm the CEO of a firm with 35 plus people and 40 plus clients with three offices around the country. I also chair two NYC nonprofits (Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy and WIN),' Coffey said in a statement. 'That, along with spending time with my two kids and my husband, take up the vast majority of my time and focus.' 'That being said,' he added, 'I love this city and care deeply about its future, which is why I've worked on or volunteered (Quinn, Cuomo) for every mayoral campaign for [the] last 25 years and am beyond proud to do the same for Andrew Cuomo.' Tusk was founded by its namesake, political consultant Bradley Tusk, who ran Mike Bloomberg's 2009 mayoral campaign. It primarily advises corporate clients and lobbies state agencies. Coffey also routinely consults New York politicians, and his firm ran most of Yang's campaign in house four years ago. Cuomo's campaign filing will be public in the coming days; it's not yet known how much his team is paying Mercury. Longtime Cuomo confidant Charlie King, one of the campaign's earliest hires, is a Mercury partner. King worked with Cuomo in the Clinton administration and was his preferred running mate during a disastrous 2002 run for governor, and the two men have remained close. POLITICO in January reported that King was vetting potential campaign staff. As Cuomo prepared to enter the race, Mercury announced the hiring of Jennifer Bayer Michaels, a former Cuomo fundraiser who does not lobby. She now serves as the Cuomo campaign's finance director. Ten days after Cuomo's March 1 entrance into the race, The New York Post reported his campaign hired Edu Hermelyn, a Mercury senior vice president, to be a 'political advisor.' Hermelyn is the husband of Democratic Party leader Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who endorsed Cuomo shortly after he entered the race. Jake Dilemani, a Mercury partner, was also involved in hiring staff, and is not listed as a lobbyist. 'It is not uncommon that public affairs professionals work for firms that also provide lobbying services,' Azzopardi said, citing four rivals' on-staff lobbyists — all of whom are being paid, per public filings and statements from those campaigns. 'While we are busy reaching voters and running a campaign, I'm sure POLITICO, with all of its sprawling resources, will do a careful review of all of the other candidates and their consultants who also lobby or work for firms that provide lobbying services.'
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cuomo enters unpredictable mayor's race with tightly controlled rollout
NEW YORK — Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo greeted supporters from a heavily-guarded union headquarters in Manhattan as protesters and campaign rivals pounced on his campaign trail debut Sunday. During his launch event for his New York City mayoral bid, the Democrat tried to make the case the city he once ruled from the state capital 150 miles north had lost its way, and would improve with him as mayor. 'We are here because we love New York and we know New York City is in trouble,' he said, after an introduction from his three daughters. 'You feel it when you walk down the street and you see the mentally ill homeless people. You feel it when you walk down into the subway and you feel the anxiety rise up in your chest. You hear it when you hear the scream of the police sirens.' Down the block, throngs of protesters gathered to denounce his candidacy and label the 67-year-old career politician a 'corrupt power abuser' and a 'groper' whom they said continually lied and bullied women while in office. The juxtaposition highlights the challenges Cuomo faces in his attempt at a high-stakes comeback after resigning from office in 2021 following sexual harassment allegations that he denies. He enters the race with a lead in the polls, the promise of financial support from a supportive PAC and near universal name recognition. But as the presumed front-runner, he will be heavily scrutinized and criticized. His return to the podium also demonstrated the degree of control to which he was accustomed as a powerful and feared governor, and previewed the difficulty he may face as he confronts Mayor Eric Adams and lesser-known but similarly combative challengers vying in the June 24 primary. Journalists and supporters needed to go through multiple checkpoints, and were instructed to wear color-coded wristbands. A coach bus brought in supporters and scores of union members also arrived. But one union member told POLITICO many didn't know they were attending a Cuomo event. They had received text messages from union leadership that only described a 'valuable opportunity' to 'connect, collaborate, and enhance their engagement,' according to a message shared with POLITICO. Another text POLITICO reviewed described it as a 'rally event.' Two firms hired by Cuomo's team — Mercury Public Affairs and North Shore Strategies — helped ensure no protesters or disruptors could get in. But a New York City mayor's race is hard to control. Candidates are constantly faced with unpredictable encounters, even front-runners who typically try to avoid them. They are met with loud-mouthed residents, angry demonstrators and probing journalists all looking to pepper them with questions. Campaign rivals began pouncing on Cuomo's record as soon as his launch video dropped Saturday. "We deserve better than former politicians clinging to power for clout,' Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie said in a statement. But from the fourth floor of the NYC District Council of Carpenters building, the governor was met with a packed crowd holding glistening signs bearing his name. 'One of the lessons I learned was when you are doing well you have a lot of friends,' Cuomo said, without getting specific. 'But then you hit a tough spot in life, which is inevitable that something is going to happen, and you hit that tough spot then you really find out who your friends are.' The governor's team shouted City Council member Farah Louis and Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs as supporters. Gibbs previously backed the mayor and Louis is close to the head of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who remains a public defender of Adams. The mayor's reelection bid is beset by a federal indictment on corruption charges and interference from President Donald that may be legally helpful but comes with huge political downside in a Democratic primary. He has a skeletal campaign operation and has been denied public matching funds. In addressing supporters, Cuomo touted the major infrastructure projects he erected around the state during his decade-long reign in Albany: A refurbished LaGuardia Airport, Moynihan Train Hall, the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. He also railed against the left flank of his party for demanding cuts to police budgets in the wake of George Floyd's murder. 'One of the one of the real mistakes that was made was cutting the police,' he briefly told veteran reporter Marcia Kramer, before he was whisked away behind a curtain from the dozens of reporters waiting to ask him other questions. 'This was a very crowded event,' campaign spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said. 'The governor is going to have ample opportunity to talk to you guys. It's going to be a consequential and exciting couple of months. We'll see you guys out on the trail.' Cuomo's lawyer, Rita Glavin, was on hand and defended his legal team's move to subpoena the gynecological records of one of his alleged sexual harassment victims. 'It is absolutely pertinent, relevant,' she said of the records, adding that a confidentiality agreement prevented her from going into detail. 'I will be happy to explain in detail why they were absolutely necessary given what she was claiming was trauma,' she added, referencing the possible lifting of the confidentiality agreement. Down the block, a coalition that included the New York Working Families Party gathered to rally under the banner 'Women Against Cuomo.' 'The contrast could not be starker,' said Ana María Archila, co-director of the third party, on the line of men who were entering the Carpenter's Union HQ. 'Andrew Cuomo is seeking refuge in a crowd of men as he launches his campaign for mayor while women are standing outside saying: 'We have not forgotten the stories of the women that came forward. We have not forgotten the ways that Andrew Cuomo abused his power with his female employees.'' 'Maybe the carpenters think it's OK to have a groper in office. We don't,' Archila added. The speakers read from Brittany Commisso's deposition, which was included in Attorney General's Letitia James' report on the allegations. Commisso worked as an executive assistant in the former governor's office and alleged that Cuomo groped her twice and kissed her on the lips without her consent. Cuomo recently sued Charlotte Bennett — another executive assistant who also accused him of sexual assault — after she withdrew her lawsuit from federal court. Bennett is still pursuing her lawsuit against the state of New York. Meanwhile a line of attack began to form among Cuomo's rivals, who argue he hurt New York City as governor, often out of spite for then Mayor Bill de Blasio. 'Pissing matches, self-aggrandizement and fear-mongering … we just see this pattern time and time again, and especially the part about taking money from New York City and putting it elsewhere,' city Comptroller Brad Lander said at a press conference. He cited Cuomo's funding decisions around the MTA — including directing money toward an upstate ski resort — and the end of a state-funded voucher program for people leaving homeless shelters. 'Andrew Cuomo sounds to me like someone who hates New York City and wants to run on its problems for his own revenge fantasy,' Lander said. Lander additionally called Cuomo's campaign launch 'underwhelming.' 'Very few so far – people who have either been in elected office or are leading organizations or are champions for this city – very few of them chose to join his launch today,' said Lander, who also did not roll out his campaign with a slew of the type of people he referenced. 'That is not the overwhelming bully force that many people expected him to enter the race with.' Janaki Chada contributed to this report.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cuomo enters unpredictable mayor's race with tightly controlled rollout
NEW YORK — Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo greeted supporters from a heavily-guarded union headquarters in Manhattan as protesters and campaign rivals pounced on his campaign trail debut Sunday. During his launch event for his New York City mayoral bid, the Democrat tried to make the case the city he once ruled from the state capital 150 miles north had lost its way, and would improve with him as mayor. 'We are here because we love New York and we know New York City is in trouble,' he said, after an introduction from his three daughters. 'You feel it when you walk down the street and you see the mentally ill homeless people. You feel it when you walk down into the subway and you feel the anxiety rise up in your chest. You hear it when you hear the scream of the police sirens.' Down the block, throngs of protesters gathered to denounce his candidacy and label the 67-year-old career politician a 'corrupt power abuser' and a 'groper' whom they said continually lied and bullied women while in office. The juxtaposition highlights the challenges Cuomo faces in his attempt at a high-stakes comeback after resigning from office in 2021 following sexual harassment allegations that he denies. He enters the race with a lead in the polls, the promise of financial support from a supportive PAC and near universal name recognition. But as the presumed front-runner, he will be heavily scrutinized and criticized. His return to the podium also demonstrated the degree of control to which he was accustomed as a powerful and feared governor, and previewed the difficulty he may face as he confronts Mayor Eric Adams and lesser-known but similarly combative challengers vying in the June 24 primary. Journalists and supporters needed to go through multiple checkpoints, and were instructed to wear color-coded wristbands. A coach bus brought in supporters and scores of union members also arrived. But one union member told POLITICO many didn't know they were attending a Cuomo event. They had received text messages from union leadership that only described a 'valuable opportunity' to 'connect, collaborate, and enhance their engagement,' according to a message shared with POLITICO. Another text POLITICO reviewed described it as a 'rally event.' Two firms hired by Cuomo's team — Mercury Public Affairs and North Shore Strategies — helped ensure no protesters or disruptors could get in. But a New York City mayor's race is hard to control. Candidates are constantly faced with unpredictable encounters, even front-runners who typically try to avoid them. They are met with loud-mouthed residents, angry demonstrators and probing journalists all looking to pepper them with questions. Campaign rivals began pouncing on Cuomo's record as soon as his launch video dropped Saturday. "We deserve better than former politicians clinging to power for clout,' Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie said in a statement. But from the fourth floor of the NYC District Council of Carpenters building, the governor was met with a packed crowd holding glistening signs bearing his name. 'One of the lessons I learned was when you are doing well you have a lot of friends,' Cuomo said, without getting specific. 'But then you hit a tough spot in life, which is inevitable that something is going to happen, and you hit that tough spot then you really find out who your friends are.' The governor's team shouted City Council member Farah Louis and Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs as supporters. Gibbs previously backed the mayor and Louis is close to the head of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who remains a public defender of Adams. The mayor's reelection bid is beset by a federal indictment on corruption charges and interference from President Donald that may be legally helpful but comes with huge political downside in a Democratic primary. He has a skeletal campaign operation and has been denied public matching funds. In addressing supporters, Cuomo touted the major infrastructure projects he erected around the state during his decade-long reign in Albany: A refurbished LaGuardia Airport, Moynihan Train Hall, the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. He also railed against the left flank of his party for demanding cuts to police budgets in the wake of George Floyd's murder. 'One of the one of the real mistakes that was made was cutting the police,' he briefly told veteran reporter Marcia Kramer, before he was whisked away behind a curtain from the dozens of reporters waiting to ask him other questions. 'This was a very crowded event,' campaign spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said. 'The governor is going to have ample opportunity to talk to you guys. It's going to be a consequential and exciting couple of months. We'll see you guys out on the trail.' Cuomo's lawyer, Rita Glavin, was on hand and defended his legal team's move to subpoena the gynecological records of one of his alleged sexual harassment victims. 'It is absolutely pertinent, relevant,' she said of the records, adding that a confidentiality agreement prevented her from going into detail. 'I will be happy to explain in detail why they were absolutely necessary given what she was claiming was trauma,' she added, referencing the possible lifting of the confidentiality agreement. Down the block, a coalition that included the New York Working Families Party gathered to rally under the banner 'Women Against Cuomo.' 'The contrast could not be starker,' said Ana María Archila, co-director of the third party, on the line of men who were entering the Carpenter's Union HQ. 'Andrew Cuomo is seeking refuge in a crowd of men as he launches his campaign for mayor while women are standing outside saying: 'We have not forgotten the stories of the women that came forward. We have not forgotten the ways that Andrew Cuomo abused his power with his female employees.'' 'Maybe the carpenters think it's OK to have a groper in office. We don't,' Archila added. The speakers read from Brittany Commisso's deposition, which was included in Attorney General's Letitia James' report on the allegations. Commisso worked as an executive assistant in the former governor's office and alleged that Cuomo groped her twice and kissed her on the lips without her consent. Cuomo recently sued Charlotte Bennett — another executive assistant who also accused him of sexual assault — after she withdrew her lawsuit from federal court. Bennett is still pursuing her lawsuit against the state of New York. Meanwhile a line of attack began to form among Cuomo's rivals, who argue he hurt New York City as governor, often out of spite for then Mayor Bill de Blasio. 'Pissing matches, self-aggrandizement and fear-mongering … we just see this pattern time and time again, and especially the part about taking money from New York City and putting it elsewhere,' city Comptroller Brad Lander said at a press conference. He cited Cuomo's funding decisions around the MTA — including directing money toward an upstate ski resort — and the end of a state-funded voucher program for people leaving homeless shelters. 'Andrew Cuomo sounds to me like someone who hates New York City and wants to run on its problems for his own revenge fantasy,' Lander said. Lander additionally called Cuomo's campaign launch 'underwhelming.' 'Very few so far – people who have either been in elected office or are leading organizations or are champions for this city – very few of them chose to join his launch today,' said Lander, who also did not roll out his campaign with a slew of the type of people he referenced. 'That is not the overwhelming bully force that many people expected him to enter the race with.' Janaki Chada contributed to this report.
