Winds of Change

Good morning and Happy Presidents Day from Buffalo, New York, home to two presidents, Millard Fillmore (13th president) and Grover Cleveland (22nd and 24th president), and a presidential inaugural site.  

In big, but not exactly surprising news, Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado suspended his campaign for governor. In a statement, Delgado declared, “I’ve decided to end my campaign for Governor of New York. After much consideration, I’ve concluded that there simply is no viable path forward. And though my campaign has come to an end, I fully intend to do all I can in our effort to build a more humane, affordable, and equitable state that serves all New Yorkers. I will also support Democrats in our effort to hold the line against Trump and take back our democracy.”

The decision comes amid the backdrop of an impressive flex from Governor Kathy Hochul, including endorsements from politically powerful labor unions, the entire New York Congressional Delegation, progressive leaders, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and a dominant showing from the Democratic State Committee (earning 85% plus of delegates) combined with Delgado’s own inability to rally support among the progressive wing of the party, particularly the decision by the Working Families Party to nominate a placeholder candidate. Hochul’s strong position—and political support—also come through in recent public polling. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said Delgado’s decision to suspend his campaign was a “good idea,” and later added, “Clearly, the convention over the last week was very definitive in terms of the people who support the governor.” Free of a primary challenge, the Hochul campaign will now focus all its time and resources on the Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. 

Blakeman has had his own party dynamics to slog through, differences of opinion laid bare at last week’s GOP Convention on Long Island. Blakeman was set to select Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino as his running mate before revelations that Giardino had previously filed paperwork to run in the 2024 New Hampshire primary against President Donald Trump, circumstances that led to him being scorned for the ticket. Giardino maintained that it was not a serious challenge, offering, “I did not intentionally hide anything from them, but they were not aware that I had filed in New Hampshire. It was based on a childhood recurring joke that you've run for everything but president.” Nonetheless, Blakeman searched for a more pro-Trump candidate and ultimately settled on Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood. Republicans also nominated Saritha Komatireddy, a federal prosecutor and impressive first-time candidate who outmaneuvered two more politically experienced opponents, to run against incumbent Attorney General Letitia James, and Joseph Hernandez as the GOP candidate for state Comptroller against incumbent Tom DiNapoli.

While the convention had all the traditional pomp and circumstance one would expect, the LG snafu and the political realities facing the GOP have left many New York Republicans demoralized. Republicans are used to being underdogs in New York; however, Trump’s poor approval rating, fundraising savant Elise Stefanik's departure, and a lack of competitive candidates have compounded the GOP’s woes heading into an election year. Al D’Amato, the former Republican Senator from New York, shared his analysis, succinctly offering, “Right now, we’re in bad shape. If it doesn’t turn around, we’re in trouble.” One of the clearest signs of trouble is the GOP’s inability to find a candidate to run against Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen in New York’s 4th Congressional District—one of the most competitive congressional seats in the country. Elsewhere in New York, Rep. Tom Suozzi is significantly out-fundraising former state Assemblymember Mike LiPetri in NY-3, while Republican Rep. Mike Lawler’s race for reelection in NY-17 is currently rated as a toss-up. 

Republicans on the national level face many of the same issues as their New York colleagues, but money is not one of them. The Republican National Committee currently enjoys a $100 million fundraising edge over the Democratic National Committee, and a looming Supreme Court decision could soften restrictions on party funds in a way that would further benefit the GOP. In addition, Trump has his own PAC with over $305 million! There is no individual Democrat with a war chest anywhere near that size. The Democrats’ money woes are a stark reversal from 2024, when Kamala Harris and the DNC raised $2 billion. Still, many large donors were left dispirited by the loss and feared the potential ramifications from the Trump White House that could follow large, public donations to his political enemies. On the contrary, many in the tech and AI space see political contributions as a way to shore up their corporate interests with Republicans and have raised more than $50 million across three separate PACs. Elon Musk—the world’s richest man—could further complicate things for Democrats if he decides to spend even a fraction of the $290 million he spent in 2024 to get Trump reelected. 

The primary contest to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler in NY-12 remains among the most interesting in the nation and a political proxy battle among high-profile Democrats. Last week, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed 33-year-old Jack Schlossberg, John F. Kennedy's grandson and first cousin of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. In a statement, Pelosi said, “This moment calls for leaders who understand the stakes and how to deliver for the people they serve. Jack Schlossberg is that kind of leader—a candidate for Congress we are all excited about, and someone I am proud to endorse.” The crowded primary field also includes longtime Nadler aide and protege Micah Lasher, who currently represents parts of the district in the state Assembly.

"I’m proud and excited to endorse @micahlasher for Congress," Nadler said on X. "He’ll bring a sense of urgency, creativity, and fearlessness to Washington."

Former Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who lost to Nadler after the two were redistricted together in 2022, is throwing her support behind Assemblyman Alex Bores, reigniting the Upper East Side v. Upper West Side divide that defined the race in 2022.

“Jerry went to Congress, he was going to build a rail freight tunnel. It wasn't built,” Maloney said. “During my tenure, we built the Second Avenue Subway, the East Side (Access), the Kosciuszko Bridge, the L train modernization and the (East River) Esplanade.” Bores, too, will do “the hard, tedious work that makes things happen,” Maloney said, “on the East Side, the West Side, all around the city.”

Other candidates in the field are anti-Trump lawyer George Conway, the former husband of Trump aide Kellyanne Conway, and journalist Jami Floyd. 

Across the Hudson River, progressive activist Analilia Mejia won an upset victory over former Rep. Tom Malinowski for the Democratic nomination in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. Mejia ran with support from prominent progressive leaders, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which helped distinguish her from the rest of the 11-person primary field. In a statement, Mejia said, “This was a race about the future of our country, and the future of our party, and the voters sent a clear message. They want leaders who are unbought, unbossed, and ready to take our country back from the billionaires and MAGA extremists.” This progressive-versus-center-left dynamic will continue to play out as we head toward November and Democrats reckon with the direction of their party.

In Albany, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris announced he will not be seeking reelection and will leave the Senate at the end of the year. In a statement, Gianaris said, “Serving as Deputy Leader of the State Senate's largest-ever majority, and as the highest-ranking Senator from New York City for the past eight years, has been more rewarding than I could have possibly imagined. While the State Senate’s future is in good hands with the current members of the Democratic conference, it is time for me to embrace a new role as the best father I can be.” Gianaris represented Queens in the Assembly for 10 years before being elevated to the state Senate in 2010, where he was instrumental in key initiatives, including expanding voting access and codifying reproductive rights in state law. Gianaris played a crucial role—second only to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins—in creating and growing that impressive majority. He continues to play a central role in Senate Democrats' plans for 2026 and beyond. Mike has been a friend of this firm for over twenty years; he will be missed by me for his insights, accessibility, and all the work he has done to make New York a better place.

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay also announced he will be retiring at the end of the year after leading the Republican Conference since 2020, offering, “I intend to step down as minority leader in the coming days, allowing for a smooth transition to new leadership early in the legislative session. This is the right time for me to move on. I hold the deepest respect for this institution and will always be profoundly appreciative of the trust Assembly Republicans placed in me to serve as minority leader.” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie spoke kindly of his time working with Barclay, offering, “I’m normally happy when a Republican leaves office, but Minority Leader Will Barclay is a distinct exception to that rule. In all seriousness, he has been a good friend and partner in government. Even when we disagreed on policy, I knew we could always work together with respect and collegiality. I wish him all the best.” The Assembly Republican Conference announced Assemblyman Ed Ra as the next minority leader. Ra, who represents Nassau County, said, “Leader Barclay has led this conference really in a direction that I am fully in support of. Focusing on affordability, focusing on public safety. In many ways, it’s a continuation.” Leader Barclay is another good friend of this firm; he has done a great job for his conference and for the state of New York. He, too, will be missed.

New members who won various Special Elections across the state were sworn in and assigned to committees this week. Jeremy Zellner was sworn in to serve out the remainder of former state Senator Sean Ryan’s term in the 61st district. Zellner was named Chair of the Procurement and Contracts Committee and assigned to serve on the Banks, Commerce, Housing, Internet & Technology, Judiciary, Labor, and Libraries Committees. Erik Bottcher was sworn in to represent the Manhattan-based 47th district and was named as Chair of the Cities 1 Committee. He will also serve on the Civil Service & Pension, Corporations & Authorities, Environmental Conservation, Investigations & Governmental Operations, Judiciary, and Libraries Committees. 

In the Assembly, Diana Moreno was sworn in to represent the 36th Assembly District, formerly held by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Moreno will be a member of the Aging, Agriculture, Tax, Small Business, and Social Services Committees. Keith Powers was sworn in to replace Assemblymember Harvey Epstein in the 74th Assembly District. Powers will be a member of the Cities, Corrections, Disabilities, Racing and Wagering, and Tourism Committees. 

Other notable committee shakeups include Senator Luis Sepulveda being removed from the Cities 1 Committee, Senator Kirsten Gonzalez dropping off the Civil Service Committee and being added to the Rules Committee, Senator April Baskin giving up Chair of the Procurement Committee (though she will still be a member), and Senator James Sanders Jr. being removed from the Procurement Committee. 

 -Jack O’Donnell

You can livestream the conversation here or watch on-demand starting Feb. 17 here.

Congratulations to OD&A client, Horizon Health Services, as it cut the ribbon on its newly expanded Hertel-Elmwood Recovery Center in Buffalo. The additional space was needed to meet the growing demand for behavioral health services in our community. OD&A was proud to attend the celebration!