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Fox News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Mamdani rivals defiant against dropping out despite facing long odds in NYC mayor battle
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he's confident he could defeat Democratic Party nominee and frontrunner Zohran Mamdani in a two-candidate race for New York City mayor. "I believe I beat the assemblyman," Cuomo said in a recent interview with Bloomberg News, as he pointed to Mamdani, the 33-year-old democratic socialist state lawmaker from Queens who shocked the political world in June by topping Cuomo and nine other candidates in the Democratic primary. But Cuomo, the former three-term governor who resigned in 2021 amid multiple scandals, said in order to defeat Mamdani, there must be a successful effort to "winnow down" the current five-candidate mayoral field in the nation's most populous city. Nearly every recent poll in the New York City mayoral race indicates that Mamdani holds a healthy double-digit lead over Cuomo and the other contenders in November's general election. Mamdani stood at 37% support in the most recent survey, a small-sample Siena Research Institute poll conducted Aug. 4-7, with Cuomo at 23%. Guardian Angels co-founder Curtis Sliwa, who for a second straight election is the Republican mayoral nominee, grabbed 12% support, with Mayor Eric Adams, the embattled incumbent who announced earlier this year that he would seek re-election as an independent candidate, at 7%. Also on the ballot in the general election is Jim Walden, a former federal prosecutor running as an independent. Walden earlier this summer proposed that an independent survey be conducted in September to determine which candidate would have the best shot of defeating Mamdani, with the other candidates agreeing to drop out. While Cuomo has partially embraced the proposal, saying he would drop out if Adams were ahead of him in pre-election surveys, Adams and Sliwa have not signed on. "The people who are running – they are harmful to our city and the progress we've made. And I owe it to New Yorkers to get my story out to them and to run a campaign," Adams said this week in a Politico interview as he once again pledged to stay in the race. Sliwa, in a FOX Business interview Wednesday, dismissed "this idea of everybody dropping out" and argued that "if we debate the issues, we are going to weaken Zohran Mamdani." Mamdani surged to a primary victory thanks to an energetic campaign that put a major focus on affordability and New York City's high cost of living. It was fueled by a grassroots army of supporters and backing from top national progressive champions, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Mamdani made smart use of social media platforms, including TikTok, as he engaged low-propensity voters. He proposed eliminating fares to ride New York City's vast bus system, making CUNY (City University of New York) "tuition-free," freezing rents on municipal housing, offering "free childcare" for children up to age 5 and setting up government-run grocery stores. Mamdani, enjoying a lead in the polls, is now training his political fire on the biggest boogeyman in Democrat-dominated New York City – President Donald Trump. The candidate this week is crisscrossing New York City on a "Five Boroughs Against Trump" tour. "My administration will be Donald Trump's worst nightmare," Mamdani declared last week, ahead of launching the tour.
BreakingNews.ie
7 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Explained: What powers does the President of Ireland have?
As the 2025 presidential election draws near, the race to Áras an Uachtaráin is evolving into a strikingly dynamic contest. Established political figures like Catherine Connolly and Mairead McGuinness are lining up alongside unconventional candidates, like Riverdance star Michael Flatley, to succeed outgoing President Michael D Higgins. Advertisement The Irish presidency is not as powerful as presidencies in other countries, like the United States or France, but the Irish President has their own responsibilities. So, what powers does the President of Ireland have? And what is their role? The President of Ireland (Uachtarán na hÉireann) is Ireland's Head of State. The Office of President was established by the Constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann). The President is elected directly by the people and serves a seven year term in office. The formal powers and functions of the President are prescribed in the Constitution. Advertisement Many of the powers of the President can only be exercised on the advice of the Government, but the President has absolute discretion in other areas. The President's powers include: Appointment of the Taoiseach, members of the Government, judges and other officials; Summoning and dissolving the Dáil, and convening the Oireachtas; Signing legislation into law and/or referring Bills to the Supreme Court; Representing the people of Ireland; Acting as Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces. Appointments and the Oireachtas The President appoints the Taoiseach on the nomination of Dáil Éireann; and the other members of the Government on the nomination of the Taoiseach, after Dáil approval. Other office holders appointed by the President, on the advice of the Government, include Judges, the Attorney General, the Comptroller and Auditor General, and Commissioned officers of the Defence Forces. Advertisement The President summons and dissolves Dáil Éireann on the advice of the Taoiseach. If a Taoiseach no longer has the support of the majority of Dáil Éireann, the President may choose to call for fresh elections, by signing a proclamation dissolving the Dáil. However, the President may also refuse to dissolve the Dáil, in which case members of the Dáil must nominate an alternative Government. Since the foundation of the State, this power of refusal has never been exercised, pointed out. Following a general election, Dáil Éireann is summoned by the President, on the advice of the Taoiseach. The President must follow the advice of the Taoiseach. Advertisement Legislation Bills passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas must be signed by the President of Ireland before they become law. Under the provisions of Article 25 of Bunreacht na hÉireann, a bill can only be signed by the President on the 5th, 6th, or 7th day after it is presented for their signature, but there are some situations when the President may sign a Bill earlier. Under Article 25.2.2 of the Constitution, the Government, with the prior concurrence of the Seanad, can request earlier signature, providing the President with the option of signing the bill earlier than the 5th day. The Constitution also provides the President with the power to refer certain Bills to the Supreme Court for a determination as to whether the bill or any provision thereof is repugnant to the Constitution. Should such a Constitutional issue arise, the President must consult with the Council of State prior to making such a referral. The decision whether to refer a Bill to the Supreme Court is the President's alone.
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Terry Coney announces run for Bill Read's Lakeland Commission seat, facing Don Burns
There's a political race emerging between two candidates who have filed to run for Lakeland's Northeast District seat this November, after Bill Read announced his resignation. Don Burns, founder of "I Am Lakeland" video podcast, will compete with Terry Coney, recent president of Lakeland's NAACP Branch, in the Nov. 4 election. Burns filed his paperwork on July 2, about a week after Read announced his intention to resign from office on Dec. 21, two years early. Coney filed with the city clerk's office on Aug. 5. Don Burns Burns, 56, is an Ohio native who moved to Lakeland more than 20 years ago. He is best known as the face of the "I Am Lakeland" video podcast, in which he interviews local entrepreneurs and residents about what is happening in the city. "During COVID, my wife and I were sitting on the couch and I needed something to do. It's an old Yellow Pages book online for Lakeland," he said. "We decided to make an online directory for Lakeland." What started as a creative COVID-era pandemic project has grown to 130 podcast episodes with the mantra of "spreading love and kindness." Now, he's launched his first campaign for political office. "This is my community," he said. "I had every intention of running in 2028 when Bill [Read]'s seat was up for election, and the opportunity came two years early." Burns served in the U.S. Army for two years during the first Gulf War, after which he moved to join his family in Tampa. There, he earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of South Florida Polytechnic. His career has largely focused on the repair and maintenance of commercial equipment, according to Burns. His father, an electrician by trade, taught him the industry, which landed him a jobs doing maintenance for Watson Clinic and Home Depot. He retired in 2017. Burns said he hopes he can use his widespread expertise in maintenance and repair to help review the city's infrastructural issues from water pipes and stormwater drainage to Lakeland Electric's operations. "With the number of people moving here constantly, and we expect a lot more in the future, we have to build out the infrastructure," he said. Terry Coney Coney, 73, is a Lakeland native and graduate of Rochelle High School. He is most widely known for serving as the president of the NAACP Lakeland Branch since January 2021. He has officially resigned his position with the NAACP effective immediately, as required under the organization's rules once announcing a campaign for public office. "We are supposed to be an oversight entity for the city and city commission," he said. "It would be a conflict." It will be his first time running for political office. "I'm a son of Lakeland. I love Lakeland," he said. Coney received a bachelor's degree in economics from Florida A&M University before attaining a master's degree in aeronautical science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 1988. He served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force before retiring in 1994 as a lieutenant colonel. "As an Air Force veteran of over 22 years, that built my leadership abilities and my ability to listen and disseminate and do problem solving," he said. "Those are attributes you need as a commissioner." Since returning to Lakeland in 2014, Coney has gotten involved with several local organizations. Currently, he sits as an advisory board member for the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency and recently served on the city's Charter Review Committee. Coney previously served with Polk County Public Schools to review potentially banned books and help choose a new superintendent. Some of the issues Coney said he would focus on include growth, ensuring neighborhood revitalization and focusing on affordable housing, particularly by recruiting jobs with a livable wage. What's next? More candidates may join the field as Lakeland's qualifying period doesn't close until noon on Sept. 19. More information can be found on the city's website at This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Don Burns, Terry Coney to campaign for Lakeland's NE District seat Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Voters pick nominees in Virginia special election to replace Rep. Connolly
Voters in Fairfax County, Virginia, are heading to the polls Saturday to make their picks in a set of crowded, high-velocity primaries to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D) — including a hard-fought race on the Democratic side that will test how growing frustration with the party's establishment plays out at the ballot box.
