WINNERS & LOSERS

Who was up and who was down last week

You’re telling me who is running for what? And they are retiring?? District lines are set and petitioning is starting soon, so the political rumor mill has been spinning like crazy as contenders decide what to run for – and in some cases, whether to run at all. Incumbents are retiring while several districts have young upstarts facing off against each other. You can’t win if you don’t play. But you can’t lose either.

KATHY HOCHUL

It’s looking like the Democratic gubernatorial primary will be Gov. Kathy Hochul’s to lose. Although she’ll still have challengers in the race, Hochul received the backing of the state Democratic Party at its convention. The New York Times called her a “clear front-runner,” which shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to anyone watching her record-breaking fundraising numbers.

WINNERS

OUR PICK

LOSERS

OUR PICK

TODD KAMINSKY

Plenty of politicians are hanging up their hats on Long Island. State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Nassau County Democrat, faced a brutal loss in his bid to become the county’s district attorney last year after getting hammered over bail reform. That experience seems to have soured his taste for elected office as he announced he would not run for reelection or any other elected position this year.

THE BEST OF THE REST DIANA REYNA

Rep. Tom Suozzi and Diana Reyna broke tradition by forming a downstate alliance in their bids for statewide office. The long shot gubernatorial candidate chose the former Brooklyn City Council member to make a political comeback as lieutenant governor. It’ll be an uphill battle for the duo, who are facing off against well-funded incumbents.

BHAIRAVI DESAI

Employment protections have never come easy to ride-hailing drivers in New York City, but Mayor Eric Adams moved fairly quickly to boost the city’s minimum ride-hailing pay rule, securing Uber, Lyft and other drivers a 5.3% bump in their pay rate, good news for this taxi leader.

THE REST OF THE WORST MICHAEL KING

The third leader of the NYPD’s Special Victims Division in under four years, Michael King was transferred after less than two years in the position and was dogged by complaints about his managerial skills throughout his tenure. The agency itself has been criticized for years for failing to staff qualified detectives and neglecting sexual assault cases.

JULIE TIGHE

Eric Adams’ proposed budget fell short on municipal composting, and the real loser is the environment. New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe will have to up the advocacy ante after this setback.

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Vol. 11 Issue 7

February 21, 2022

Cover design: Andrew Horton

CITY & STATE NEW YORK (ISSN 2474-4107) is published weekly, 48 times a year except for the four weeks containing New Year’s Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas by City & State NY, LLC, 61 Broadway, Suite 1315, New York, NY 100062763. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to City & State New York, 61 Broadway, Suite 1315, New York, NY 10006-2763. General: (212) 268-0442, subscribe@ cityandstateny.com Copyright ©2022, City & State NY, LLC MIKE GROLL/OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR; TODD KAMINSKY CAMPAIGN