Albany Agenda
2026 New York gubernatorial election
State GOP formally designates Blakeman as nominee for governor
But even Republicans acknowledged that Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s gubernatorial bid faces long odds.
Budget
Ta-da! NYC budget gap is now down to $7 billion, Mamdani says
Two weeks and some budget magic goes a long way, the mayor revealed to state lawmakers Wednesday in Albany.
2026 New York gubernatorial election
NY Dems select candidates with few surprises, much fanfare
Gov. Kathy Hochul, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and state Attorney General Letitia James will headline the statewide ticket again.
2026 New York gubernatorial election
Socialists not thrilled with Mamdani’s guv endorsement: ‘Even Zohran gets it wrong sometimes’
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani is now at odds with some of his fellow DSA electeds after throwing his support behind Gov. Kathy Hochul for reelection
Heard Around Town
Assembly GOP Leader Will Barclay to step down, retire at end of term
Assembly Republicans are likely to elect a new leader next week to replace the one Carl Heastie called “a good friend and partner in government.”
2026 New York gubernatorial election
Hochul’s LG pick is… still a mystery
Gov. Kathy Hochul has chosen a running mate. Just don’t ask her who it is yet.
2026 New York gubernatorial election
Blakeman courts right-wing voters at state Conservative Party conference
Likely GOP gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman addressed members of the third party at their annual conference in Albany.
2026 New York state elections
Assembly candidate Aber Kawas says she didn’t move into wrong district
Concerns about the DSA parachuting candidates into races sparked a false rumor that Kawas moved to Queens in order to run for Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s seat but accidentally moved into a neighboring district.
2026 New York gubernatorial election
Who will Hochul pick as her running mate?
Assembly Member Brian Cunningham, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and Secretary of State Walter Mosley are all being vetted.
Immigration
'Sooner rather than later:' Stewart-Cousins is ready to pass immigrant protections
After expressing support for a prominent bill to expand sanctuary policies, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins seems to be putting weight behind her words
DSA
What’s a Socialist in Office?
DSA-endorsed lawmakers meet regularly with the socialist group to coordinate strategy.
2026 New York state elections
How key New York candidates are raising and spending
Looking at New Yorkers’ campaign cash going into 2026
MagazineShow All
Interviews & Profiles
Everyone’s against Rana Abdelhamid. She’s running anyway.
A Q&A with the Assembly candidate running in a special election against the new “establishment.”
Personality
Heastie taps criminal justice reformer Alana Sivin as counsel
A socialist who challenged an incumbent legislator is now the right hand of the Assembly speaker.
Budget
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s FY 2027 executive budget proposal: by the numbers
It’s not an “austerity budget,” but it’s cautious.
Budget
Finances in MY executive budget? It’s more likely than you think
Gov. Kathy Hochul pitched a fiscally-focused spending plan that plays it safe with state money and is light on prickly policy proposals.
Power Lists
The 2026 Albany Power 100
The most influential New Yorkers in state government and politics.
Policy
Rather than prohibit local cooperation with ICE, Hochul targets state grants to curb it
Gov. Kathy Hochul created some confusion when she declared state resources would no longer go towards civil ICE raids, since state agencies already can’t work with immigration officials.
Albany Agenda
Hochul to target food insecurity in State of the State
With sharp criticisms of national Republicans, Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to expand free summer meals for kids and fund food pantries ahead of federal cuts
2026 New York gubernatorial election
Candidates for governor begin charting course for June and November
Gov. Kathy Hochul began to preview her agenda while Antonio Delgado and Bruce Blakeman rolled out big endorsements.
