Malliotakis & Massey Mix It Up, Moderately

Republican mayoral candidates Nicole Malliotakis and Paul Massey mixed it up a bit Thursday, with Massey issuing a statement critical of Malliotakis for receiving campaign contributions from Linda Sarsour.  Malliotakis has recently criticized Sarsour, a Palestinian-American political activist, and demanded that CUNY rescind an invitation to Sarsour to speak at commencement.  State Board of Election records show that Sarsour gave Malliotakis two contributions of $150 each, one in 2011 and one in 2012.

Malliotakis dismissed Massey’s criticism, suggesting that “he should be focusing on actually proposing something for the voters.”

Malliotakis on ConCon

“I’m actually very torn on it.”  That’s Republican mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis on whether she supports holding a New York State constitutional convention.

The 2017 general election will present voters with a ballot question of whether to hold such a constitutional convention, often referred to as a “ConCon.” The state constitution requires that voters be presented with such a ballot question every 20 years; it was voted down in 1997 and 1977. Should voters approve a ConCon, convention delegates would be elected in the 2018 general election and the convention would convene in the spring of 2019.

Malliotakis, who is her fourth term in the state Assembly, described potential positives from a convention as including reducing the power of the Assembly speaker, legislative term limits and more equitable treatment of legislators.  She expressed concerns about stripping or reductions of public employee pensions.  Malliotakis is, for a Republican elected official, unusually supportive of public employees and public sector unions.

Here’s what Malliotakis had to say:

Update – September Statement:

Malliotakis’ statement taking a position is available here.

Malliotakis On AHCA

“I don’t know because I haven’t read it.”  That was Republican mayoral candidate and Assembly Member Nicole Malliotakis’ final answer when asked whether she supports the American Health Care Act, approved Thursday by the House of Representatives.  Malliotakis expressed general support for a replacement of the Affordable Care Act while emphasizing the importance of considering the precise terms of any proposed legislation.  The AHCA text was released only the night before the House voted and few if any members had actually read it.  I spoke with Malliotakis following her appearance Thursday night at the Metropolitan Republican Club.

Here’s what Malliotakis had to say:

Candidates Court Conservatives (Updated)

Queens County Conservative Party Chairman Tom Long listens as mayoral candidate Paul Massey speaks to Long’s members. 4/28/17

Mayoral candidates Bo Dietl, Michel Faulkner and Paul Massey appeared in Howard Beach Thursday night, courting support at the Queens County Conservative Party Spring Dinner.  The Conservative Party will select its mayoral candidate shortly, with the  individual county organizations commencing discussions this week and a final selection expected by the end of May.  Their appearances and quest for the Conservative Party nomination had an additional subplot; Dietl’s controversial remarks on Mayor de Blasio’s wife the night before, Massey’s statement condemning those remarks and Dietl’s demand for an apology from Massey.  Assembly Member Nicole Malliotakis is also seeking the Conservative Party nomination, but did not attend this dinner.

Bo Dietl addresses the Queens County Conservative Party Dinner. The audience includes rival candidates Paul Massey (far left) and Michel Faulkner (center, blue tie). 4/28/17

Continue reading Candidates Court Conservatives (Updated)

They Can’t Control The Bo

“They can’t control the Bo” said Bo himself, speaking today at a press conference on 34th Street, answering his own question of why “they” do not want him to run for mayor.  Bo Dietl continues trying to extinguish the firestorm that erupted following his Wednesday night comment that a judge who heard his lawsuit against the Board of Elections “looked like Charlene de Blasio (sic) and as soon as I saw her … I knew I had a problem.”  He made a similar mea culpa last night at a Conservative Party dinner in Howard Beach.

Dietl began his press conference by reading a lengthy statement denying that he is a racist, recounting his humble origins and work as an NYPD detective, touting his business success and attacking the New York Post and the New York Daily News.  The Post editorial board has called for Dietl to drop out of the race and a Daily News columnist has been harshly critical of Dietl.  Dietl unambiguously asserted that he’ll stay in race through November, even if he does not get a Wilson-Pakula allowing him to run in the Republican primary.

Continue reading They Can’t Control The Bo

Hashing It Out

Bo Dietl and Paul Massey discuss Dietl’s comments, during the Queens County Conservative Party Dinner on April 27, 2017.

Three of the four Republican mayoral candidates appeared together Thursday night, with Bo Dietl seeking to address the contretemps generated by his Wednesday night comment equating two African-American women, Chirlane McCray, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s wife, and a judge hearing Dietl’s election related lawsuit, based on their physical appearance.  Dietl has faced significant criticism in the 24 hours since making his comment.  The episode may drive voters away from him, although it anecdotally appears at this early stage Republican voters are only moderately concerned about.  More immediately, and more significantly, it may push Republican leaders away from granting Dietl his sought-after waiver to run in the Republican primary, a Wilson-Pakula. Continue reading Hashing It Out

Friend Friction

Republican mayoral rivals Michel Faulkner and Paul Massey have often proclaimed their affection for one another, but Faulkner has been increasingly critical of Massey.  At the Manhattan Republican Party mayoral candidate forum last night Faulkner had some harsh comments about Massey.

Massey started the evening with a kind word for Faulkner and Bo Dietl, saying “it’s been great getting to know you” and “developing a friendship with you.”

Continue reading Friend Friction

Republicans Rassle

It was a Republican wrestling match as four candidates seeking the Republican nomination for mayor came together last night, participating in a forum hosted by the Manhattan Republican Party at the Upper East Side’s Metropolitan Republican Club.  Smiling, joking and mostly making nice, they harshly attacked Mayor Bill de Blasio as the four engaged in their first group forum.  They threw a few barbs at each other, and one managed to draw harsh condemnation afterwards for a comment involving Mayor de Blasio’s wife, but they mostly tried to push past each other as they sought audience and press attention.

Michel Faulkner, Nicole Malliotakis and Paul Massey are Republicans seeking their party’s nomination while Bo Dietl is a former Republican seeking a party waiver to run in the Republican primary.  The forum was important for all four, but especially critical for Dietl as he seeks a Wilson-Pakula; dispensation from at least three of the GOP county chairs to run in the Republican primary.  All five were present, part of an overcapacity crowd and large press contingent.

Video:

Here is the full forum, including the introductory remarks of Manhattan GOP Chairwoman Adele Malpass:

Dietl & McCray (Updated)

Mayoral candidate Bo Dietl provoked outrage last night with a seemingly offhand comment at the Manhattan Republican Party’s mayoral candidate forum.  Dietl, who muffed an attempt last year at shifting his party registration from Republican to Democratic and is now seeking Republican Party permission to run as a Republican despite not being currently registered as a Republican, filed a lawsuit against the Board of Elections.  As he tried to explain the saga during his closing comments last night, Dietl blamed “de Blasio’s tentacles” as responsible for the adverse Board of Elections ruling.  Of the judge who heard his lawsuit Dietl said “the judge looked like Charlene de Blasio (sic) and as soon as I saw her … I knew I had a problem.”

Here is Dietl’s closing statement:

Speaking with reporters afterwards, and here responding to Politico’s Azi Paybarah, Dietl defended his comment:

Update – Faulkner:

Michel Faulkner was asked (by Politico’s Azi Paybarah) about Dietl’s comment during a post-forum press Q&A, terming it “offensive” and “could be borderline racist.”  Faulkner nonetheless unambiguously expressed affection for Dietl, concluding his remarks by saying “put that down, make sure you say ‘I love Bo.'”  The brief exchange also featured a interruption by a Dietl staffer, which Faulkner brushed aside.

I Am That Messenger

The New York City Republican Party has had “the right message but for years we have not had a messenger who could deliver it to allll the communities.  I’m telling you, right now, I am that messenger.”  That was at the core of Republican mayoral candidate Michel Faulkner’s pitch to the Queens Village Republican Club in a recent visit.  Faulkner’s fiery speech drew a standing ovation, far exceeding rival Paul Massey’s reception the prior month, although enthusiasm waned as he dealt with audience questions.

Faulkner does differ from most New York Republican candidates.  He’s a Baptist minister and African-American who cites Jerry Falwell Sr. as a “political mentor [and] spiritual father.”  Low on money but high on energy, the 6’4″ Faulkner’s religious roots infuse his appearances as he preaches politics.  He’s fluid at the mic, quickly revving up as he attacks Bill de Blasio with his energy filling the room.  He’s spotty on many issues, however, often displaying a lack of  significant depth on specific topics.  Continue reading I Am That Messenger

Ulrich For Dietl

New York City Council Member Eric Ulrich today endorsed Bo Dietl for mayor, supporting Dietl in a race that he may not get to run.  Dietl’s hope of running in the Republican primary depends on receiving a waiver, known as a Wilson-Pakula, from the Republican county committees in at least three of New York City’s five counties.

This was a good get for Dietl, attracting a decent amount of press interest in a race that has attracted limited attention.  There’s a very small pool of Republican elected endorsements available, as Ulrich is one of only seven nine elected Republicans (excluding President Trump) from New York City.  He’s the second to endorse a mayoral candidate, with Assembly Member Ron Castorina having endorsed Paul Massey.

Continue reading Ulrich For Dietl

Massey Goes To School

Republican mayoral candidate Paul Massey made a school visit today, going to Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School for a tour and discussion with students as he began an extended effort at demonstrating deepened policy knowledge.  Massey, who has often appeared unfamiliar with significant City policy issues, has said that over the next several weeks he will unveil an “Urban Innovation Agenda,” via a “series of in-depth policy proposals.”   Today Massey discussed education reform.

The press conference was held at Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School, a fairly new school created in the former home of a shuttered Catholic high school.  Cristo Rey Brooklyn is part of a national network of 32 Catholic high schools created on the model of the first Cristo Rey high school, a Jesuit high school in Chicago.  Each school is separately run, with Cristo Rey Brooklyn sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and administered by a board of directors.  Students work one day per week at jobs outside of school.  Those employers, primarily large businesses and law firms, provide much of the school’s financial resources which in turn enables the school to modify tuition based on financial need and students pay as little as $100 per month.  Massey has employed Cristo Rey Brooklyn students in his brokerage business and now in his campaign.  He spoke enthusiastically of the school and its students.

Continue reading Massey Goes To School

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