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Politico
a day ago
- Politics
- Politico
Live by the tweets, die by the tweets
Presented by NY Offshore Wind Alliance 'I TWEET THEREFORE I AM': Andrew Cuomo shouted out his new social media gurus at a Hamptons fundraiser Saturday evening. 'They're going to do all sorts of stupid things on social media,' the mayoral candidate said in audio obtained by Playbook. 'And I'll do it. Sometimes it works.' Sure enough, the team did a stupid thing. The Cuomo campaign is scrambling to distance themselves from self-proclaimed memelord Jason Levin after he proudly boasted on X late Monday about making a meme the Cuomo campaign posted — and his plan to do more. The problem for Cuomo is that Levin's online persona is that of a provocative MAGA booster, proudly proclaiming he voted for Trump last year. 'I'M A PROUD JEW WHO VOTED FOR HITLER,' Levin posted over a photo of Trump in a yarmulke. Calling him 'Hitler' was meant as a sarcastic criticism of liberals who do the same, since Levin made clear in other X posts he believes Trump has been 'the best supporter of the Jewish people and Israel we could ever ask for.' Levin didn't respond to a request for comment. But he 'is not paid by the campaign, he suggested one meme to someone on that team,' Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi told Playbook. 'Hatred, bigotry, misogyny and anything like that has no place in this race.' His questionable posts were quickly spread by Mamdani allies, but Azzopardi said the Democratic nominee's team should be careful suggesting guilt by association. 'If Mamdani's campaign wants to play that game, there are plenty of problematic people who think America deserved 9/11 and who think 'from the river to the sea' is a perfectly fine thing to say standing next to him at a rally,' he said, referring to lefty streamer Hasan Piker, who's backed Mamdani. 'Hatred, bigotry, misogyny, and racism have in fact found a home in this race — on Andrew Cuomo's new-look digital team,' Mamdani campaign spokesperson Dora Pekec responded. 'There's no strategy they won't embrace in their tragic efforts at relevance. Their digital presence perfectly encapsulates Cuomo's regressive, conservative politics and wouldn't be out of place in Trump's D.C. — but it has no place in New York City.' The memelord arose at a bad time for Cuomo, as his campaign is also trying to downplay the former governor's comments at the same Hamptons fundraiser — first reported by POLITICO — where he said he hoped to benefit from Trump's involvement in the race. Levin posted a photo with Cuomo that appeared to be taken at a Monday night young professionals fundraiser, co-hosted by the candidate's actual social media manager, Daniel Liss. Azzopardi declined to talk about Liss's team or how he's getting paid until the campaign reports its financial disclosure on Friday — but he noted that Levin's meme Liss approved 'did very well.' Cuomo has pivoted to a much more 'online' voice on X since losing the Democratic primary to the social media savvy Mamdani. He explained at the Hamptons fundraiser that's part of his strategy to win the general, saying he was now 'very social media adept.' But minutes later, he lamented the political culture today while suggesting Mamdani was thin on policy. 'This whole business has gotten very superficial, right? I tweet therefore I am. It's all about Tiktok now, right? And it all comes down to three words. Every policy is three words, right?' he said. 'But the more you discuss and explore with people what exactly you're talking about, the less sense it makes.' — Jeff Coltin From the Capitol GHOST IN THE GRID: Cuomo's successful quest to shut down the Indian Point nuclear plant dirtied the grid of the city he's now fighting to lead and spiked costs for consumers. Cuomo fought for decades to shut the nuclear plant located 25 miles north of the city. He raised concerns about the safety of the aging plant and its proximity to the city, where an evacuation — if the worst happened — would be impossible. When the plant was shuttered, gas power plants filled in the gap. The state's electricity emissions increased 22 percent from 2019 to 2022 after the nuclear plant closed, making the state's and city's climate goals more challenging to achieve. 'The city is much more reliant on its in-city fossil generation in a way that didn't have to happen the way it did,' said Dan Zarrilli, former chief climate policy adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio. 'It was clear that natural gas was going to fill that gap.' Electricity prices also rose — a potential political liability for Cuomo as affordability has become a paramount concern in the mayoral race. Cuomo still defends the decision to close the plant because of major safety concerns. But as Democratic officials embrace nuclear and the state's renewable buildout falters, they're having some regrets. Gov. Kathy Hochul said there should have been better planning to meet the state's energy needs before shutting Indian Point. Rep. Ritchie Torres, who ultimately decided not to challenge Hochul after flirting with a gubernatorial run, said closing Indian Point was a mistake. — Marie J. French Read the full story from Marie French in POLITICO Pro THREE MORE YEARS: You'll have to wait 'til 2028. Hochul said today she wishes New York's Constitution were a little more like California's so she could more quickly respond to Texas' Republican redistricting efforts. Still, Hochul made clear her plan is to have new, Democrat-friendly congressional maps redrawn in time for House elections three years from now — the soonest the state's Constitution allows. 'Everyone says, 'Why don't you do what Gavin Newsom does?'' Hochul told reporters today, referencing California's governor, at an unrelated event in Albany. 'Gavin Newsom has a very different situation, because if I could, I would. I didn't ask for this. I wish everybody played fair. But if you're going to change the rules of the game in the middle of it, then I'm not sitting on the sidelines and letting that happen.' On Monday, the Texas Democratic lawmakers who bolted from their state to prevent their Legislature from moving forward with Trump-led redistricting efforts returned after a two-week sojourn. Ohio is also looking to redraw its maps in a way that would favor Republicans, though their redistricting efforts were already on the calendar before the Texas showdown. Missouri's governor has yet to confirm whether he will embrace calls from his fellow Republicans to redraw maps there, too. Newsom and the California's Democrats released their plan to redraw California's maps in response to Texas' efforts on Friday. Hochul has said she wants to change or eliminate New York's independent redistricting commission — which she says forces her to 'fight with my hand tied behind my back' — and replace it with a process that is nakedly partisan. That would require a constitutional amendment. But Hochul noted today there's 'no urgency' to move forward because the state's Constitution says amendments must be approved by the Legislature in two consecutive sessions — so acting now instead of January won't change the timeline. (We're currently in the 2025-2026 session). After that, voters need to approve the measure at the ballot box. 'That'll be in place for the 2028 Congressionals,' Hochul said of the new maps, noting voters will likely see the amendment on their ballots in the fall of 2027, if all goes to plan. 'Right now, we're on a path to have it not happen until 2032, so I can shave those years off.' — Jason Beeferman From City Hall TARGETING COURTHOUSE ARRESTS: Mayor Eric Adams filed an amicus brief today in support of a lawsuit by immigrant advocacy groups against the Trump administration calling for an end to the arrests at immigration court proceedings. Masked federal immigration agents have been detaining noncitizens outside courtrooms — including at 26 Federal Plaza — to fast-track them for deportation, though the practice has slowed as fewer people show up for court. The amicus brief comes as the mayor, running for reelection as an independent, seeks to delineate when he will work with Trump and when he'll stand up to the president's deportation agenda. 'If people are afraid of the legal process, then they will live in the shadows, and people will prey on them,' the mayor told reporters today. 'We have to allow people to go through the legal process.' Several New York Democratic officials have condemned the courthouse arrests, saying migrants are doing the right thing by showing up to their court dates and they're not the violent criminals Trump said he would prioritize for deportation. New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant was more blunt than Adams in her statement about the city's move to back plaintiffs African Communities Together and The Door in the Southern District of New York. 'New York City has become the epicenter of the Trump administration's courthouse arrest campaign,' said Goode-Trufant. 'With every illegal courthouse arrest, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is chipping away at the bedrock principles of fairness and due process that support our entire system of justice.' — Emily Ngo IN OTHER NEWS — TORRES FOR HOCHUL: Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres endorsed Hochul for reelection today after spending eight months harshly criticizing her on a host of issues while floating a primary challenge. (News 12) — CRYPTO PAC PROBLEM: A pro-Adams Super PAC backed by cryptocurrency firms didn't disclose its spending to the city's Campaign Finance Board for weeks. (Daily News) — SPITZER SPEAKS: Former governor Eliot Spitzer talked about Mamdani's victory, his relationships with Cuomo and Trump, and his refusal to consider whether his prostitution scandal would've led to his downfall today. (Vanity Fair) — NEVER SETTLE: Adams' city lawyer said that there is 'no interest' in settling with the woman who filed a civil suit claiming he sexually assaulted her. (Courthouse News Service) Missed this morning's New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.
Politico
2 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
Torres ‘underestimated' Hochul, now supports her
Presented by NY Offshore Wind Alliance MY EX-ENEMY IS MY FRIEND: Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres boosted his former foe Gov. Kathy Hochul today — celebrating her efforts to resist President Donald Trump and federal cuts to Medicaid as she paid a visit to his Bronx district. With the vast majority of the state's Democratic establishment behind her reelection campaign — and Torres, her one-time enemy, moving to her side — Hochul looks to be leaving Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado (her former-friend-turned-enemy) behind. Delgado is waging a primary challenge to Hochul's left in hopes he can tap into the energy that shot Zohran Mamdani to victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary — even though Mamdani wants a collaborative relationship with Hochul and little to do with Delgado's lefty insurgence. Torres — who announced last month he won't be running for governor after he spent eight months harshly criticizing Hochul — appears to also want peace. The House member and Hochul are in active discussions about a potential endorsement of the governor, a source close to the governor told Playbook. The person asked for anonymity to speak freely about sensitive discussions. Torres and Hochul sat next to each other at today's event, where the two electeds participated in a rally against slashes to Medicaid funding. 'Now is not the time for infighting; now is the time for unity under the leadership of our Gov. Kathy Hochul,' he said. Later, Torres told reporters: 'There might have been moments when I've underestimated the governor, and my message to Donald Trump is you underestimate Governor Hochul at your own peril.' 'Underestimated' is a vast understatement of Torres' rhetoric in 2024, when he spent the year teasing a primary challenge against Hochul and launching a statewide listening tour. Along the way, he called Hochul 'feckless,' a 'down-ballot disaster,' an 'electoral train wreck,' an 'accidental governor,' a politician who knows 'absolutely nothing' about communities of color and one half of the duo that made New York home to 'the worst combination of leaders in the country.' Today, Hochul said the people of the South Bronx were 'so blessed' to have Torres represent them, whom she described as a 'tireless fighter.' 'Politics is a business where you ought not be in it if you're going to take things personally,' said Jay Jacobs, chair of the state's Democratic party. 'The governor has demonstrated for a long time that she takes a very professional approach to things like this and will work with anybody that will work with her.' — Jason Beeferman FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL BURKE EXPLORING HIGHER OFFICE: Assemblymember Pat Burke launched a campaign committee this morning for an unspecified state-level office. 'We're just keeping our options open and looking to grow a little bit,' said Burke, a Buffalo Democrat in his fourth term. 'That's an exploratory committee, so we're going to explore.' It's not yet clear where there might be an opening for Burke. As things stand today, three of the four incumbent statewide officeholders are running for new terms in their current jobs in 2028 — Hochul will be seeking a new running mate, but it's unlikely she'd view an Irish Buffalonian as the type of lieutenant governor that could diversify the ticket. And the assemblymember does not live in the Senate seat that's likely to be vacated by Buffalo Democratic mayoral nominee Sean Ryan in January. Burke said that 'all options are on the table' for the committee, dubbed 'Burke Powers New York.' But didn't specify which office he might seek: 'We want to be prepared if and when the time comes,' he said. — Bill Mahoney From the Capitol INSURANCE PLANS: Hochul on Monday would not explicitly commit to supporting state-funded Medicaid coverage for more than 500,000 lawfully present immigrants in New York who will be kicked off the federally funded Essential Plan in coming months, due to Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. A 2001 court decision found the state must extend Medicaid coverage to lawfully present immigrants who would qualify if not for their immigration status. That will cost the state about $3 billion annually once those New Yorkers become ineligible for the Essential Plan. 'I'm looking at the entire situation right now,' Hochul told reporters after her rally with Torres in the Bronx. 'We're working on that — what that looks like. We're committed to finding a solution.' Hochul said she will soon meet again with legislative leaders and state finance officials to address the law's impact on the state budget, which includes about $750 million in Medicaid costs this fiscal year for the group of immigrants slated to lose coverage. 'I believe we'll be able to find a path forward to deal with that number, and we'll let everybody know once that's completed, but next year's gonna be tough,' said Hochul. Becca Telzak, deputy director at Make the Road New York, an advocacy organization for immigrant and working-class communities, said every New Yorker deserves access to health insurance coverage. 'In the face of the Trump administration's attacks on our health care system, it is imperative that the Governor does not just look into the situation, but commits to ensuring that every New Yorker, including low-income individuals on the New York Essential Plan, do not lose coverage and can access affordable health insurance,' Telzak said in a statement to POLITICO. — Maya Kaufman ZELDIN TARGETS BATTERY STORAGE: Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin was back on Long Island to raise safety concerns about battery storage on Monday. Zeldin touted the importance of local authorities in permitting these facilities and lambasted New York's clean energy goals in comments to The New York Post ahead of his appearance. 'Legitimate concerns over emergency response and safety from lithium fires are being ignored in pursuit of impossible climate targets the state knows it cannot hit,' Zeldin wrote in an X post. Many local governments across New York have placed moratoriums or other restrictions on battery storage, a major concern for developers and policymakers looking to advance a decarbonized electric grid. The state doesn't have permitting control for battery storage systems, despite the EPA's claims. It does, however, have the ability to override local objections to large wind and solar installations or fossil fuel power plants. The Hochul administration considered putting large battery storage permitting decisions under the state Office of Renewable Energy Siting as part of her 2024 legislative agenda, but she ultimately didn't advance that idea. State Sen. Pete Harckham, who previously sponsored a measure to give the state control over utility-scale battery permitting, didn't prioritize the effort in this year's session amid local backlash. Zeldin, who spent five terms in Congress representing Long Island, appeared in Hauppauge, where Newsday says fire officials are fighting a proposed 79 megawatt battery project by Key Capture Energy. New York City Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa wants Zeldin to oppose a battery storage project in Brooklyn, where Sliwa plans an opposition rally Monday evening. The state's fire codes are the most stringent in the country and follow all recommendations made by the EPA, said Marguerite Wells, executive director for the Alliance for Clean Energy New York. 'We look forward to partnering with local fire departments through trainings and education regarding safeguards the industry has already instituted, demonstrating that this technology is safe and proven to keep the grid reliable and affordable,' she said. The federal concerns about battery storage come as New York rolls out major new incentives for the technology. New York lags way behind its rival climate leader California in deployment of lithium-ion batteries, partly because of a lack of subsidies to give developers certainty about potential revenues. The state won't meet a previous target of 1,500 megawatts of storage by 2025. Instead, the focus is on a 6,000 megawatt by 2030 goal. There are about 500 megawatts of storage currently installed in New York, according to NYSERDA. (California passed 10,000 megawatts last year.) Incentives for residential and retail level battery projects became available in May and June. A long awaited competitive process to subsidize larger utility-scale battery projects is also ongoing, with initial information due from developers on Sept. 4. — Marie J. French IN OTHER NEWS — SUIT UP: Mayor Eric Adams is suing New York City's Campaign Finance Board a second time over its latest refusal to give him public matching funds. (Daily News) — SYRACUSE CONGRESSIONAL: Republican Assemblymember John Lemondes has jumped into the race to unseat Democratic Rep. John Mannion from his NY-22 seat. ( — RUBBER SHORTAGE: The city's Department of Health is facing calls to replenish its depleted supply of free condoms. (New York Post) Missed this morning's New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.
