They have competing presidential ambitions, but de Blasio can’t get along with anyone. That was the essence of Republican/Conservative mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis’ assessment when I asked for her view on whether she attributes Cuomo and de Blasio’s poor relationship primarily to either of them.
Malliotakis spoke at a press conference in which she extensively criticized the mayor for recent declines in subway service. It’s a major campaign theme for her, fitting into a broader criticism of de Blasio as a poor municipal manager. Her subway criticism is somewhat complicated, however, as Governor Cuomo primarily controls the MTA and its subway system. Malliotakis is much less critical of the governor and pledges to work cooperatively with him as mayor. Assessing the prospects of a future Governor Cuomo/Mayor Malliotakis relationship starts with considering the causes of the current problematic governor/mayor relationship and whether its causes will continue with a new mayor.