This week’s biggest Winners & Losers

Democrats and Republicans came together to dedicate a new building to former Gov. George Pataki. The nonprofit Gov. George Pataki Center will help youth who want careers in government, and is housed in a 1,240-square foot Albany townhome built in 1900 and purchased last year for $210,000. Sure, it’s not as glamorous as getting a whole county, the New York State Thruway system or one of its most well-known bridges named after you, as other governors have done.  But Pataki said he’s humbled and hadn’t expected anything to be named after him. 

Looks like Shelley Mayer is a teacher’s pet. The longtime state Senate Education Committee chair has been named the new head of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, now that previous chair Michael Gianaris is retiring from the Senate. Mayer will be in the thick of fundraising and strategy for Senate Democrats who are looking to recapture their state Senate supermajority. And an “A” for Mayer in this year’s midterms could position the Westchesterite to become Senate Democrats’ new assistant principal.

Despite getting booed in Wisconsin at a data center townhall, former Mayor Eric Adams is a winner at home and in all of our hearts because he actually reduced the rat population. Adams was clowned relentlessly for his “war on rats,” but the most recent data from the Department of Sanitation shows that trash containerization seems to be working. Who knew leaving bags of garbage out on the street would attract rats?

If you’re a term-limited New York City politician planning a public advocate campaign launch years in advance, this is probably not how you want it to go. Council Member Chris Marte’s designs on higher office burst into public view thanks to Politico’s reporting on allegations that Marte’s office required at least one staffer in his government office to raise campaign donations – a potential breach of ethics and campaign finance laws that could prompt an official probe by the city Department of Investigation.

Everyone thinks their mom would do anything for them, but would she help you plan a drive-by shooting and serve as your getaway driver? Mount Vernon Deputy Police Commissioner Jennifer Lackard allegedly did just that, chaperoning her son to the Bronx Hall of Justice so he could shoot at members of a rival street gang with a semiautomatic weapon. Lackard was then fired and arrested along with her son and husband. Maybe try out a different family bonding activity next time.

Have you ever heard of a “torture plane”? Neither had City & State, until we learned that the real estate development firm co-founded by City Council Speaker Julie Menin’s husband Bruce owns a jet once used by the CIA to transport suspected terrorists to “black sites” around the world, where they faced “enhanced interrogation” techniques, including torture. While the speaker said she’s never ridden on it – and was unaware of its sordid history – it’s caused quite a stir online. Adding to Menin’s headaches: City Council Member Jim Gennaro reportedly called her a liar during a contentious meeting.