New York Note: Mayoral Forum, Comptroller Race, Minority Leader Resigns

February 3, 2025

Upper West Side Mayoral Forum

Several 2025 mayoral candidates attended a candidate forum last Wednesday on the Upper West Side. Topics included child care, police officers in the subway, mask bans, and regulation of Airbnb. Incumbent Eric Adams and anticipated candidate Andrew Cuomo were not in attendance. Candidates also discussed the impact that the federal administration may have on New York City.

Subscribe

Jenifer Rajkumar Declares Run for Public Advocate

Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar is now planning to challenge incumbent Jumaane Williams for NYC Public Advocate. Rajkumar had been running for City Comptroller against Councilmember Justin Brannan and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, but is pivoting to another citywide position. Williams has served as Public Advocate since 2019 and has no other challengers.

Minority Leader Joe Borelli Steps Down

Minority Leader Joe Borelli has stepped down from his position in the NYC Council, effective last Friday. Borelli is term limited from running again this year, and will become a lobbyist for Chartwell Strategy Group. A special election will be held to fill his Staten Island seat for the remainder of 2025. Following Borelli’s resignation, half of the six-member Republican minority conference held a meeting and elected Councilmember David Carr as the new Minority Leader. Joann Ariola, who was running against Carr for the position, was not present for the vote, and has asked Speaker Adams to reject the results. Ariola and other members have requested that the Speaker take up the matter at the Council’s next Stated meeting on February 13.

Authors

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.

Explore Articles and News

See All News