Editor’s note: An explosive time at Somos awaits

Everyone from New York’s political world heading down to the annual Somos conference will likely be less focused on Mayor Eric Adams’ legal problems thanks to former President Donald Trump for allowing a comedian to make a racist joke at the presidential candidate’s Oct. 27 Madison Square Garden rally, saying that Puerto Rico was a “floating island of garbage.” It was a comment that fired up not only New York’s Puerto Rican community, but most elected officials, all the way to the top. “A lot of people are pissed off,” Gov. Kathy Hochul told City & State at the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s gala on Oct. 28. “You do not talk about Puerto Rico … calling them an island of garbage? It sickens me that anyone would talk that way about the commonwealth of Puerto Rico.”

The comment is sure to set the tone for the conference, which is meant to highlight Puerto Rico’s close relationship with New York, and includes a day of service where volunteers work in support of the local community. Whatever happens on election night also will have people buzzing. Rest assured, City & State will again cover the conference. Look for City Editor Holly Pretsky, reporters Rebecca C. Lewis, Annie McDonough and Sahalie Donaldson, and myself at the conference hotel, the Caribe Hilton. Also, join City & State and our sponsor Greenberg Traurig for a cocktail reception in the hotel’s Flamingo Room on Nov. 8 from 6-8 p.m. This year’s conference may need a few more drinks than usual, depending on the outcome of the elections.