This week’s biggest Winners & Losers

New York City Council Members Justin Brannan and Chris Marte were endorsed by the progressive Working Families Party this week in their respective comptroller and reelection campaigns. Both picks sparked surprise, as the lawmakers are generally more moderate than the party prefers, and the choice to back Marte – who opposed the City of Yes housing plan – in particular sparked anger among pro-housing advocates. Still, the fact that the endorsements turned some heads makes them even more of a win.

Who doesn’t love Jessica Tisch? The New York Post Editorial Board begged the NYPD commish to run for mayor last weekend, saying she would be a blessed alternative to leftists like Brad Lander. Then on Tuesday, Lander touted his idea to keep her on as NYPD commissioner as a pillar of his public safety platform. It’s not so often that candidates have big press conferences to endorse someone else. Tisch also got some kudos for reducing the college credit requirements for NYPD officers in an effort to stop the exodus from the department.

Gov. Kathy Hochul loves an out-of-state campaign consultant. Just ask Adam Sullivan. Hochul has now tapped Preston Elliott as her reelection campaign manager, with the veteran Democratic consultant fresh off a successful race with a different female governor with a national profile. (Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, in case you were wondering.) After a strong congressional showing in 2024, and Hochul’s fresh and fiery rhetoric around Trump, 2026 could prove to be quite the race to be involved in.

They say if you come at the king, you best not miss, but it’s not clear where Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado was aiming when he announced he wouldn’t run with Gov. Kathy Hochul for reelection next year. Hochul has since made it crystal clear that independence cuts both ways – stripping him of his office, his staff and even his executive chamber-provided cellphone. Delgado is his own man now, and he’ll be reminded of that as he floats around the third floor between state Senate sessions. He still probably prefers this to Congress, though.

While it’s not in the same galaxy as the almost 80% disapproval rating of Chicago’s mayor, it hasn’t been a good political week for acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon. For the second time, links to his campaign social media accounts appeared on the city website – an ethical violation for which a city contractor has taken responsibility. And Scanlon’s campaign was dealt another setback when Erie County Democrats endorsed state Sen. Sean Ryan in the primary.

Remember that one Bible passage where Jesus said to his disciples, “I will no longer be able to perform any miracles tonight at the advice of my legal counsel, Alex Spiro”... No? Well, when another self-appointed Christ-like figure pulled that move earlier this week, it didn’t go over so well. Mayor Eric Adams pulled out of what would have been his first mayoral forum appearance at the last minute, ditching the District Council 37 event, reportedly at the advice of his lawyer – a move that garnered him boos at the event. DC 37 isn’t the only union the mayor is pushing away. Leaders at the District Council of Carpenters and 32BJ are also turning their attention to other mayoral candidates.