As DNC kicks off, New York’s political leaders take center stage

As the Democratic National Convention convenes in Chicago this week, many of New York’s 307 delegates will play pivotal roles.

Gov. Kathy Hochul is slated to speak on Monday night alongside national leaders including President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. This high-profile spot will likely provide Hochul a platform to highlight New York’s prominence and her party’s priorities. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the two top Democrats in Congress, are also scheduled to speak at the convention.

Other prominent New York elected officials who will be attending the four-day convention include: U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, state Attorney General Letitia James, state Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, all of whom have been vocal supporters of Harris.

Council Member Yusef Salaam, a member of the Exonerated Five who was wrongfully imprisoned as a teenager, has also reportedly been invited to speak at the DNC. Salaam was elected last year over two state legislators to represent Harlem.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is planning to attend the DNC on Wednesday and Thursday. The mayor said he is planning to discuss some of the issues in the city, including the migrant crisis, with his party.

Several New York delegates eyeing higher office will be at the convention. The New York delegation includes City Comptroller Brad Lander and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, both of whom are preparing to run against Adams in next year’s Democratic mayoral primary. Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Council Member Justin Brannan – who are all running for New York City comptroller – are also attending the DNC. Rep. Pat Ryan and former Rep. Mondaire Jones, who are locked in close races in Hudson Valley swing districts, are also part of the New York delegation. 

Beyond elected officials, many state labor leaders will be in attendance at the convention: American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento, New York State Public Employees Federation President Wayne Spence, New York State Nurses Association President Nancy Hagans and United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew, to name a few.

Several prominent lobbyists will also be attending the convention as delegates, including Patrick B. Jenkins, Emily Giske of Bolton-St. Johns. Also on hand will be political consultant Amelia Adams, currently working as chief of staff to Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado and who helped elect Hochul in 2021 and reelect former Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2017.

One person who probably won’t be attending the convention? Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who isn’t one of New York’s delegates – though his sister and possible landlord Maria Cuomo Cole is.