Dan Donovan
Bochinche & Buzz: What does Joe Borelli want? (and the latest on the council speaker race)
What does Joe want?
At least two Staten Islanders are bochinchando that Joe Borelli has his eyes set on something other than his re-election to the New York City Council’s 51st District. “In his head, Dan (Donovan) gets appointed by Trump to something like U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and that will open up the race for his seat,” one bochinchero said. That is the 11th Congressional District seat once held by ex-con Michael Grimm, who’s formally in pursuit of his old job. Don’t scratch your cabeza. I’m not making this stuff up. If you’re thinking that Joe Borelli can’t possibly think that this scenario could happen, keep in mind that the ambitious 35-year-old made an early bet on Donald Trump winning the presidency. Borelli co-chaired Donald’s Republican primary campaign in New York. “He’s laying low. Notice he hasn’t been on the cable news circuit. He doesn’t want to get into any trouble with Trump,” said one bochinchero. Smart move. Borelli doesn’t want Trump or any of his folks pissed off at him so that he can have the White House’s support in a primary against Grimm.
RELATED: Borelli: Trump's NYC victory reshapes urban GOP thought
Queens and the Bronx will be crowning the next speaker … for now
The latest buzz – and there’s so much bochinche about this race – is that Democratic tag teams in Queens and the Bronx have agreed to go with one candidate in the race for the next New York City Council speaker. “Anything can happen. But, Corey Johnson and Robert Cornegy Jr. have the inside track,” a knowledgeable bochinchero told us. Why? “Because both have stood up to the mayor on many issues. They’ve done so openly and behind the scenes in the chambers.” According to a top insider and Democratic operative, “Mark (Levine) is liked by many, but the mayor’s early support has hurt him.” Insiders have told me that de Blasio has stopped making calls letting Democrats know that the popular Levine is his candidate. But, it may be too late.
RELATED: The candidates for New York City Council speaker
Cuomo’s Puerto Rico state of mind
The buzz is that Gov. Andrew Cuomo will appear at the Somos el Futuro dinner being held in New York in lieu of the fall conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Nov. 1 event at Terrace on the Park in Queens is only for those who had registered to go to the canceled Nov. 8-12 conference. “The governor’s really into helping the recovery of Puerto Rico as much as the state can,” said a bochinchero who is very familiar with Cuomo’s intentions. I’ve been assured that while there’s always a political calculation behind his decisions, “Andrew’s brain works well in these nuts-and-bolts matters. Remember, he loves cars and bikes.” All that may be true, but I bet the biggest incentive for Cuomo is that on the evening of the Somos gathering, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio will be on the stage at his final debate before the Nov. 7 mayoral election. That means the governor will have the stage for Puerto Rico’s Hurricane Maria recovery all to himself.
Remember, gente, it's all bochinche until it's confirmed.
NEXT STORY: Winners & Losers 10/27/17