Winners & Losers 12/1/17
You thought the protest-turned-lawsuit over Brooklyn’s Bedford Union Armory redevelopment was the hottest fight of the week? Think again, said the state’s top executives, and read some of the ferocious lines from New York’s own Hatfields and McCoys. No, *you’re* running for president, said the Iowa visitor to the California fundraiser. The feud “gets ugly?” We expected more from a Post headline – it’s been ugly for a long time.
WINNERS
Simcha Felder – With the state Senate Independent Democratic Conference and mainline Democrats forming a power-sharing agreement, the state senator / heretic / maverick / opportunist from Brooklyn, once again, seems happily stuck in the middle, standing astride the balance of power. Who is he going to caucus with? Whoever gives him the best deal, of course! He’s all about “bringing home the pastrami” to his district.
Dean Fuleihan – With his budget know-how and years of experience in both Albany and New York City, there’s no foolin’ Dean Fuleihan. And while he’s not the first person to fill the post in this administration, he’s now set to replace Tony Shorris in New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s City Hall early next year, giving him the distinction of being the mayor’s second first deputy mayor. Kudos also to de Blasio aides Emma Wolfe, Laura Anglin and Melanie Hartzog, who earned promotions of their own this week.
Dan Garodnick – New York City Councilman Dan Garodnick is on his way out of office, and it remains unclear what’s next for him, but don’t make the mistake of calling him a lame duck. This week, the councilman notched another victory with legislation he championed that is aimed at reforming the city’s controversial commercial rent tax. If things go according to plan, hundreds of small businesses in Manhattan will now have an easier time staying open.
Jerry Nadler – It’s probably not the way the Manhattan congressman wanted things to play out, given that the shocking sexual harassment allegations against his colleague, Rep. John Conyers Jr., have opened Democrats to political attacks. But with Conyers stripped of his role as the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, Nadler is moving up to replace him.
LOSERS
Randy Credico – The comedian has been hanging around the fringes of New York politics for decades, and even got 20,000 votes in the 2014 gubernatorial primary. But Credico may have taken his quest for relevance too far, as he’s now been subpoenaed by the House Intelligence Committee – supposedly for being the link between former Trump adviser Roger Stone and Wikileaks founder and alleged sexual assailant Julian Assange. Who are we kidding? Credico loves the attention!
Terry MacRae – The chairman and CEO of Hornblower wasn’t blowing his own horn this week. In the wake of reports about a handful of boats in the company’s NYC Ferry fleet that had already sprung leaks, as well as a reckless captain who crashed a ferry, New York City launched an investigation. To be fair, the ferry service did report strong ridership numbers – which may be enough to float the mayor’s boat.
Steve McLaughlin – The outspoken assemblyman made a name for himself in Albany by being quick to cast aspersions on his fellow elected officials. So when the Assembly sanctioned him for sexual harassment, any number of his colleagues felt a certain schadenfreude. Of course, the ban on interns that was imposed on him won’t apply when he crosses the river and takes his McLaugh-ty ideals to the Rensselaer County executive’s office.
Jeanine Pirro – The wheels of the “Justice with Judge Jeanine” star do not turn slowly. The Fox News TV judge was ticketed in Tioga County for going 119 mph in a 65 mph zone, blasting past the speed limit in her Cadillac, apparently to visit her “ailing 89-year-old mom.” Tell it to a (real) judge, Jeanine.
Lee Zeldin – The Long Island Republican was openly critical of the House tax reform plan when he voted against it. And this week, Zeldin got his punishment, as House Speaker Paul Ryan seized control of a fundraiser originally meant to support Zeldin's re-election campaign – and took all the money for himself and the National Republican Congressional Committee. With that election looming next year, Zeldin’s failing to block legislation that could be bad for his constituents, while also making enemies among his fellow Republicans.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this post included Andy Praschak as a winner due to his expected appointment to the New York City Board of Elections. However, we removed him from the list after publishing when we learned he has not actually joined the board.