In the new Power 100, James, Jeffries continue rise; lobbyists persists; election tomorrow for Public Advocate
City & State New York has its new New York City Power 100 and its notable how two Central Brooklyn politicians have risen to state and national stature:
Former Council Member
No Forest City executive has been on the list since 2016 (and Forest City has been acquired by Brookfield) on the list any more--Jed Walentas of Two Trees remains at 70--but three power lobbyists who've worked on Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park remain powerful:
Poised for power
A potential future mayor:
Oh, there's an election tomorrow
Here are the perceived frontrunners in tomorrow's Public Advocate race (and a list of endorsements and, from Gotham Gazette, a last-minute guide):
Former Council Member
LETITIA JAMESFormer Assemblymember
State Attorney General
THIS YEAR'S RANK: 9 CHANGE: Up 26
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 35
Nobody has risen as fast in state politics as Letitia James – the state’s first female and African-American elected attorney general. But the distinction is only part of what the former New York City public advocate brings to the position. James promises to be a thorn in the side of President Donald Trump, and while she has yet to file a lawsuit of her own against his administration, she has hit the ground running on issues close to home.
HAKEEM JEFFRIESThe lobbyists persist
House Democratic Caucus Chairman
THIS YEAR'S RANK: 20 CHANGE: Up 14
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 34
Joseph Crowley’s shocking loss last summer was Rep. Hakeem Jeffries’ gain this winter. The Brooklyn congressman consolidated support among colleagues to take Crowley’s slot as House Democratic Caucus chairman. The only problem is Jeffries alienated another Democratic leading voice, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who reportedly sought to find a challenger to primary him in 2020. But if he stays in office – which seems likely – he could be the next House speaker.
No Forest City executive has been on the list since 2016 (and Forest City has been acquired by Brookfield) on the list any more--Jed Walentas of Two Trees remains at 70--but three power lobbyists who've worked on Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park remain powerful:
SURI KASIRER
President, Kasirer
THIS YEAR'S RANK: 25 CHANGE: Up 19
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 44
Suri Kasirer’s top-notch staff and professional, results-oriented approach is paying off. Her eponymous firm raked in more than $11.4 million in earnings in 2017 – earning the top spot among lobbyists in the city. Kasirer repped a range of clients whom City Hall sought to help, including New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets and bus company Reliant Transportation. She’s got ties to the mayor and to Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who hired one of her vice presidents.
VALERIE BERLIN & JONATHAN ROSENThat's, um, a rather generous assessment of what they do.
Principals, BerlinRosen
THIS YEAR'S RANK: 26 CHANGE: No change
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 26
The measure of great public relations professionals is how little you hear about them. It should come as no surprise that it took a court-enforced public records request to reveal the full extent of “agent of the city” Jonathan Rosen’s strategic contributions to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s team. Credit goes to the PR pair of Rosen and Valerie Berlin for acting as a sounding board while giving the mayor “space where he could focus properly and elevate.”
Poised for power
A potential future mayor:
ERIC ADAMSAlso, at least based on his campaign contributions, a real estate-friendly mayor.
Brooklyn Borough President
THIS YEAR'S RANK: 30 CHANGE: Up 18
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 48
New York City could be getting a bicycle-friendly mayor if the Brooklyn borough president succeeds in 2021. Eric Adams has been riding high, getting healthier and biking around to highlight alternative transit options. He has taken the lead on demanding transparency from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed alternative for the L train shutdown and keeps the pressure on Mayor Bill de Blasio to repair public housing. Somehow, Adams still finds time for unorthodox activities like the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge.
LAURIE CUMBOIt's pretty hard to assess whether that upzoning negotiation was a victory for the public or something baked into the rezoning request, given the increase in buildable square feet.
New York City Council Majority Leader
THIS YEAR'S RANK: 76 CHANGE: No change
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 76
Laurie Cumbo pushed a number of proposals to help families and the less fortunate through the City Council this past year, most notably requiring the city to provide reports on wage disparities, prohibiting employers from terminating employees based on reproductive choices and helping launch a community center to end gun violence. Cumbo also got a Crown Heights developer to double the affordable units in two towers as part of an upzoning deal. Her Brooklyn beep rumors aren’t going away.
Oh, there's an election tomorrow
Here are the perceived frontrunners in tomorrow's Public Advocate race (and a list of endorsements and, from Gotham Gazette, a last-minute guide):
MICHAEL BLAKE & MELISSA MARK-VIVERITO & JUMAANE WILLIAMS
New York City Public Advocate Candidates
THIS YEAR'S RANK: 55 CHANGE: New to list; new to list; was 99 in 2018
LAST YEAR'S RANK: NA
The week this list is published, one of these front-runners will likely wake up as New York City public advocate – although the 17-candidate field could lead to a surprising outcome. The position is what you make of it, but Councilman Jumaane Williams, former council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Assemblyman Michael Blake have highlighted their independence and eagerness to boost the office’s profile. Each could shake up the 2021 mayoral race, but may be more content as city ombudsman.
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