New York Note: Manhattan Shakeups, Adams Reaffirms Candidacy, NYS School Phone Ban, and Trump Targets NYC

Major Shakeups Ahead for Manhattan’s West Side Representatives

Manhattan is poised for significant political changes at nearly every level of government over the next 18 months, with several elected representatives leaving their offices and multiple people expressing interest in running to fill the vacancies. With Councilmember Carlina Rivera stepping down early, Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, who won the Democratic nomination for her Council District 2 seat, is expected to take office in November 2025. His departure would trigger a special election for his Assembly seat in late December or early January. Potential successors include Sarah Batchu, Anna Pycior, Former Congressman Anthony Weiner, and Councilmember Keith Powers. Candidates who lose that race may pivot to the State Senate election for Brad Hoylman-Sigal’s seat, which will open in January 2026 if he wins the Manhattan Borough Presidency. A special election for that seat would likely take place in early 2026, with potential candidates including Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, Councilmember Erik Bottcher, and possibly Assemblymembers Micah Lasher, Tony Simone, and Alex Bores depending on decisions around other races. Finally, candidates who remain in play may shift focus to the highly competitive 2026 congressional race for Jerry Nadler’s seat following his decision to not run for reelection. Assemblymember Lasher and Nonprofit CEO Liam Elking have already announced their candidacy, other potential successors include state Senator Liz Kreuger and Assemblymember Simone and Borres, among many other speculative candidates. If any of Nadler’s potential successors, such as Lasher, Simone, Bores, or Krueger, were to win, their current seats would then open up for election. Additionally, other than Councilmember Bottcher, most of these potential candidates would need to risk their current positions since state law prohibits running for both state office and Congress in the same year.

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Eric Adams Recommits to Mayoral Race Amid Speculation

Mayor Eric Adams reaffirmed his commitment to seeking reelection during a press conference late Friday, pushing back on reports that he may exit the race. The statement followed reports that Trump adviser Steve Witkoff met privately with Adams in Florida last week to discuss a potential nomination as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, which some view as a broader effort to clear a path for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s candidacy. Adams has maintained publicly that he is staying in the race, though he has reportedly told allies he is “considering a range of options.” Removing his name from the November ballot would be legally complex under New York election law, making any withdrawal highly unlikely. If Adams were to resign before the end of his term, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would become acting mayor until a new administration takes office.

Governor Hochul Implements Statewide Distraction-Free Schools Policy

This past Monday marked the launch of Governor Kathy Hochul’s Distraction-Free Schools initiative, requiring K-12 public schools, charter schools, and BOCES to implement bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices for the 2025-26 school year. The policy establishes a statewide standard while allowing schools to set their own storage plans and secures $13.5 million in funding to support implementation. Exemptions are included for medical, educational, and emergency purposes, and schools must provide parents with a way to contact their children during the day. Governor Hochul stated the initiative aims to improve focus, mental health, and classroom engagement.

Trump Administration Targets NYC in Planned Immigration Enforcement Ramp-Up

The Trump administration is preparing to escalate immigration enforcement operations, with New York City identified as a primary target due to its sanctuary city policies. White House official Tom Homan stated that operations will increase in NYC, Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle, focusing on jurisdictions where local authorities limit cooperation with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Mayor Eric Adams reiterated that the city does not coordinate on civil immigration enforcement but said NYPD will work with federal authorities when addressing violent offenders. A spokesperson for Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized that the state supports federal efforts targeting gang members and violent criminals but opposes actions that “tear families apart.”

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