With assist from Amira McKee
‘OUT OF STEP:’ Zohran Mamdani distanced himself from “defund the police” posts he made in 2020, saying at present they had been made “amidst a frustration that many New Yorkers held at the murder of George Floyd.” He stated a number of instances that the posts had been “clearly out of step” together with his present view of policing and his marketing campaign platform.
The Democratic nominee for mayor of New York Metropolis was talking at a press convention held hours after he returned from an 11-day trip to Uganda.
Mamdani has confronted backlash over his previous feedback vital of the NYPD following town’s deadliest mass capturing in 25 years, the place 4 folks, together with an off-duty police officer, had been killed in Midtown Manhattan.
“I am not defunding the police; I am not running to defund the police,” Mamdani advised reporters at present. “Over the course of this race, I’ve been very clear about my view of public safety and the critical role that the police have in creating that public safety.”
There was little the NYPD might have achieved to cease the shooter, who drove in from out of state and was in public solely briefly earlier than he started pulling the set off. Nonetheless, the tragedy has resulted in an outpouring of help for the division and its members, and has raised questions on how Mamdani would lead the power as mayor, POLITICO experiences.
Mamdani is returning to a metropolis the place polling reveals him because the clear favourite, and he’ll attempt to preserve that lead by way of the tumult of a crowded common election in an unpredictable metropolis. His opponents have homed in on his comparatively restricted political and administration expertise, and the previous few days have served as a take a look at of how the democratic socialist frontrunner would reply to a disaster — and the stress that entails.
Like different Democrats, Mamdani positioned blame for the capturing on easy accessibility to firearms.
“No matter how strong our gun laws are in this state, they are only as strong as the weakest laws in our nation,” he stated. “I echo the call from Governor Hochul for a nationwide ban on assault rifles.”
Mamdani additionally slammed his opponent Andrew Cuomo for criticizing his prior calls to defund the police within the aftermath of the capturing, saying it was a method for Cuomo to “score such cynical political points.”
“We want to honor the New Yorkers who have been taken from us far too soon,” Mamdani stated. “And yet, here we have a former governor calling every reporter he can find to speak about tweets. What kind of leadership is that?”
Cuomo spokesperson Wealthy Azzopardi stated it was truthful sport.
“I liken that to every time there is a mass shooting, Republicans say it’s not the time to talk gun control,” he stated in a press release. “This is very much the time to talk about what our candidates for mayor said then vs. now.” — Jeff Coltin & Jason Beeferman
A LONG FIGHT AHEAD FOR REDISTRICTING AMENDMENT: On the identical morning that Texas Republicans unveiled a possible gerrymander to create 5 new Republican-friendly congressional seats, New York Democrats formally launched a constitutional modification that will allow them to make mid-decade modifications to the Empire State’s maps.
However don’t count on any imminent or drastic motion in New York, POLITICO Professional reported at present. Any modification couldn’t be accepted any sooner than November 2027. Meaning any new strains wouldn’t take impact till 2028, even when they will keep away from authorized hiccups and court-ordered stays that spring.
And the brand new maps would nonetheless want to stick to current prohibitions on gerrymandering — so don’t count on districts combining Staten Island with Plattsburgh, as you may see in different states.
The modification is certain to be on the heart of a particularly costly battle on the poll field if it strikes ahead. A distinct proposal to alter the redistricting course of was defeated as a referendum in 2021 — a yr with mayoral races that drove out extra Democrats than might be anticipated in 2027.
“It’s the perfect type of legislation to beat at the ballot box,” state Conservative Social gathering Chair Gerard Kassar stated. “Frankly, it’s likely to turn out the vote and help us elect other officials.”
Democrats are hopeful they’ll be higher ready this time round, although.
“I would hope for a campaign from the national party, from the state party, from other interested parties,” Senate Deputy Chief Mike Gianaris stated. “This is something with national implications, so I would hope there’d be a huge effort.” — Invoice Mahoney
MAP FIGHT: Regardless of the severely restricted menu of choices for New York Democrats to redraw Home strains earlier than the 2026 midterm elections, Hochul at present signaled she’s in ongoing talks over the difficulty.
In a press release to Playbook, Hochul blasted Texas GOP lawmakers for revising their Home strains — a change that may add 5 further seats Trump carried by double digits.
“We’re not going to sit by while Donald Trump and Texas Republicans try to steal this nation’s future,” she stated. “I’ve been in active talks with local and national leaders, and in the coming days we’ll meet to align on our next move.”
Hochul has spoken with Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffires about redistricting in New York, as pink states — together with Texas and Ohio — transfer ahead with altering their maps this yr.
Two state lawmakers have proposed a constitutional modification that will enable New York to redistrict mid-decade, however such a change wouldn’t be in place quickly sufficient to impression the high-stakes Home races subsequent yr. — Nick Reisman
CHILD HEALTH CARE ROLLBACK: A brand new federal coverage slated to take impact in 2027 will jeopardize medical insurance protection for greater than 750,000 youngsters in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul stated at present.
The Democratic governor bashed President Donald Trump’s administration in a press release, calling the rollback of packages that present steady Medicaid protection a “misguided policy” that “threatens the progress we’ve made in keeping young children connected to care,” POLITICO Professional’s Katelyn Cordero experiences.
The federal authorities final yr accepted New York’s proposal for steady Medicaid and Baby Well being Plus protection for enrollees as much as the age of 6. The state is now required to roll again that coverage by 2027.
New York’s steady protection coverage was carried out this yr underneath a federal waiver. It requires continued entry to well being care for kids no matter modifications to household earnings.
The waiver is not going to be revoked, however the Hochul administration acquired a letter from the Facilities for Medicare & Medicaid Companies indicating that it’s going to not be renewed in 2027.
“We will use every tool at our disposal to protect access to Medicaid and Child Health Plus for the more than 750,000 young children across New York State who depend on it for a healthy start in life,” Hochul stated in her assertion. — Katelyn Cordero
QUIT POLITICKIN’: Senate Republicans are decrying considered one of Hochul’s commissioners for utilizing authorities assets to advertise assaults in opposition to Republicans in D.C.
“We understand Governor Hochul is gearing up for a tough re-election, but the use of state resources to amplify partisan messaging must cease immediately,” the GOP state lawmakers wrote in a letter to Barbara Guinn, commissioner of the Workplace of Non permanent and Incapacity Help.
Guinn, who was appointed by Hochul to steer the workplace in 2023, penned an op-ed with Democratic state Sen. Roxanne Persaud criticizing the GOP’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Her company — which is tasked with overseeing meals, warmth and money help packages — then shared the opinion piece on its authorities web site.
“If you are struggling to put enough food on the table and also struggling to find gainful employment, Republicans in Washington, including seven representing New York State, say you are on your own,” Guinn wrote within the piece, including that the federal invoice “cruelly slashes SNAP in ways that were previously unthinkable.”
In a separate letter despatched to state lawmakers underneath authorities letterhead, she additionally decried how “actions by the federal GOP will likely lead to limited benefit access,” she wrote.
Whereas Hochul freely makes use of her taxpayer-funded communications staff to slam Republicans in Congress and the White Home, many unelected commissioners in Albany avoid partisan assaults.
Senate Republicans are arguing that Guinn crossed a line: “These talking points are best left to the Democratic National Committee, not parroted by a state agency that performs vital public service,” they wrote of their letter.
Guinn’s workplace didn’t reply to a request for remark. — Jason Beeferman
— ALL AGAINST MAMDANI: 5 separate teams have emerged, all planning to boost tens of millions of {dollars} to defeat Mamdani. (The New York Instances)
— OLD VS. NEW: 26-year-old Liam Elkind is launching a main problem to 78-year-old Rep. Jerry Nadler, saying he now not has the power nor mindset for the job. (CNN)
— BRONX CASINO BID IS ALIVE: The mayor vetoed a measure from the Metropolis Council that some thought completely ended the possibilities of a Bronx on line casino. (POLITICO Professional)
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