Winners & Losers
This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Who’s up and who’s down this week?
If you thought you had seen the last of the Cuomo brothers, think again! Both Andrew and Chris resurfaced in the past week, though their success at rebranding after scandal is debatable. The elder Cuomo showed up in the Bronx to help with Puerto Rico relief alongside noted homophobe Rubén Díaz Sr. The younger Cuomo meanwhile marked his return to primetime with accused transphobe Bill Maher for the premiere of his new NewsNation show that was a ratings flop. But wait, there’s more! Keep reading for the political highs and lows of the rest of the week.
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn -
The Brooklyn Democratic Party boss managed to hang on to her title, despite rumors of an ouster and continued internal chaos. In July, one district leader told City & State: “Rodneyse is reading the writing on the wall that she doesn’t have the votes or the numbers to continue being party leader.” But she beat the odds – and fended off reformists with the help of her allies – to secure re-election in a messy series of meetings that concluded Monday.
Robert Rolison -
It’s not every day the POTUS visits the Queen City of the Hudson. Joe Biden touched down in Poughkeepsie Thursday to tout a $20 billion investment from IBM to make semiconductors there, and a whole bunch of Democratic pols lined up to greet him. Biden was celebrating the federal CHIPS Act – in a conveniently competitive congressional district. Poughkeepsie Mayor Robert Rolison, who is also following in his father’s footsteps and running for state Senate, got to bask in that Democrat love fest in his backyard.
Kyle Bragg -
The building service workers union 32BJ plays it smart with developers. At the exact same time Bragg was standing with the state Attorney General and New York City comptroller announcing they secured nearly $1 million in unpaid wages for members from a luxury developer, the City Council was pushing through the Bruckner rezoning in the Bronx – which Bragg championed after securing a deal for union labor.
Kevin Bruen -
Trouble may be on the horizon for State Police Superintendent Kevin Bruen. Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed an investigation into multiple allegations against Bruen that span several weeks. Bruen is also accused of protecting a human resources official from internal complaints because of their close relationship. Hochul said she will look at all the facts and make a decision from there – a silver lining for Bruen who remains on the job while the investigation unfolds.
La’Ron Singletary -
The city of Rochester will pay $12 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by relatives of Daniel Prude, who died in 2020 after being forcefully restrained by Rochester police. Former police chief – and now congressional candidate – La’Ron Singletary was one of several city officials found to have suppressed information about Prude’s death, which reignited a national conversation about the role of police in responding to people in mental health crises.
Ramnarace “Reese” Mahabir -
Looks like retirement won’t be so sweet after all. Ramnarace “Reese” Mahabir, a long time Metropolitan Transportation Authority construction head, was unceremoniously fired last week after an internal investigation found that he used his position to arrange jobs for family members. Mahabir was reportedly escorted out of MTA facilities by armed guards, just two days before he was set to retire. Poor Reese will have to pick up the pieces of this debacle instead of enjoying the fruits of his tenure.