| | | | |  | | By Emily Ngo, Nick Reisman and Jeff Coltin | With help from Rich Mendez
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The youth vote was important in getting Rep. Jamaal Bowman into a House seat in 2020, and the NY-16 representative is hoping to convince young voters to show up at the polls this time around too. | Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP | NEW YORK MINUTE: With ten days to go before the city budget is due, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams hasn’t reached a deal with the mayor on preschool funding. Members of her Budget Negotiating Team are rallying before the council meeting today with UFT, DC 37 and child care advocates for more money for early childhood education in the final budget. GENERATION GAP: Just as Wu-Tang is for the children, Rep. Jamaal Bowman is for the youth. Young people were key to the coalition that propelled Bowman into a House seat in 2020. And they’ve been critical this year as the very vulnerable Squad member fights to fend off a challenge from George Latimer, an establishment Dem whose base trends much more Boomer. Gen Z electeds like Rep. Max Frost of Florida and City Council Member Chi Ossé of Brooklyn have campaigned with Bowman, producing slick social media videos to entice still more support from 20-somethings. Youth-led groups like Sunrise Movement and Protect Our Power have been canvassing, phone banking and even confronting wealthy Latimer donors (getting it on video, natch). “He has consistently shown up for young people, whether that be for our calls for climate action or labor or the pro-peace movement,” Ella Weber of Protect Our Power told Playbook. But it may not be enough: Bowman is vastly outspent, down in the polls and struggling in the final stretch of the race. And older voters typically outnumber younger ones at the ballot box. Latimer told Playbook that his core support comes from voters who’ve gotten to know him throughout his long career in local and state government — and they vote reliably. A recent Emerson College poll backed up Latimer’s take: Democratic primary voters over age 40 favor him by significant margins, with his biggest advantage among voters over 70, who break for him 53 to 22 percent. The battle in Westchester County and the Bronx ranks as the most expensive House primary ever, with pro-Israel groups pouring money into defeating Bowman over his criticism of Israel amid the war in Gaza. The generational gap in appeal is stark between Bowman, a 48-year-old former middle school principal, and Latimer, the more moderate 70-year-old political veteran. And it’s apparent in their outreach. Bowman makes fast-moving hype videos for TikTok and recently posted himself on X rapping KRS-One’s “The MC,” while Latimer posts musings and grainy photos on Facebook. But it’s even more about Bowman’s insistence that the United States should not finance the Israeli offensive in Gaza and AIPAC-backed Latimer’s refusal to condemn Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “The generational divide indicates other things like stance on Israel, like stances on racial justice, stances on climate, right? That’s what you see here,” Bowman told Playbook. The Israel-Hamas war factors prominently in the contentious primary with a sizable Jewish electorate. It’s also the flashpoint exacerbating President Joe Biden’s struggles to retain younger, more left-leaning support. “As we look to the general election and as we think about turning out young people to defeat Donald Trump, Joe Biden needs someone like Jamal Bowman who can really speak to young people,” Stevie O'Hanlon of Sunrise Movement told Playbook. “There is a real disillusionment among many young people with politics right now, and unfortunately, that is leading to some people staying home and deciding not to vote.” Bowman is harnessing young supporters’ enthusiasm ahead of next Tuesday’s primary, including with a “youth mobilization concert” tonight in Port Chester headlined by Cash Cobain, a 26-year-old rapper from the Bronx. “He certainly appeals to them in style,” Latimer conceded. “He’s an educator who worked with young people, so I do grant him that as being a strength of his.” — Emily Ngo IT’S THURSDAY. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.
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Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY. | | | | | WHERE’S KATHY? Appearing in a pre-taped interview on CBS Mornings, then signing legislation relating to children on social media. WHERE’S ERIC? Making a jobs-related announcement, then meeting with the Gov.-elect of Puebla, Mexico Alejandro Armenta and Consul General of Mexico in New York Jorge Islas López. After that, the Mayor will be live on "The Beat 139" podcast and then delivering remarks at a retirement celebration for Eileen Reilly. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The ascendance of Black elected officials in our city must translate to adequate funding for education, mental healthcare, community safety programs that reduce recidivism and services for older adults who are the backbone of our communities.” — New York City Council’s Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, marking Juneteenth amid budget negotiations with Mayor Eric Adams, who is Black.
|  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | | 
President Joe Biden's lead against former President Donald Trump in New York fell from 10 points in April, to 8 points in a recent poll. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images | BIDEN’S BAD NUMBERS: New York voters may dislike former President Donald Trump, but they do not have a particularly rosy view of Biden either these days. The president continues to hold a surprisingly small advantage over Trump in a deep blue state that he won handily four years ago, a Siena College poll released today found. In April, Biden led Trump by 10 points. That lead has narrowed to 8 points in today’s survey: a 47-39 split. It’s a meager lead, when compared to Biden’s 23-point victory over Trump in New York in 2020. And it’s a single-digit gap in a state a Republican presidential candidate has not won since 1984. The big caveat is today’s survey is composed of registered voters — not people who are considered likely to vote in November, typically a more precise gauge. Still, the rest of Biden’s numbers are simply not good for a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a factor of 2 to 1. A majority of New York voters — 53 percent — hold an unfavorable view of the president. The same percentage of voters either strongly disapprove or somewhat disapprove of how Biden is doing his job. Biden’s biggest problem is with voters who are not registered in either party: 70 percent of independents hold an unfavorable view of him. Only 28 percent of independents expect to vote for the president. The poll results for Biden in New York over the last three months mirror a broader concern for Democrats nationally that the president’s reelection is in real jeopardy. Voters in the state continue to cite the migrant crisis and crime as top concerns — issues Trump has hammered on the campaign trail as he looks to shift the conversation from the GOP’s record on abortion and his own criminal convictions. “New York Democrats need to wake up,” Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine told POLITICO earlier this month. “The number of people in New York, including people of color that I come across who are saying positive things about Trump, is alarming.” — Nick Reisman
| | CITY HALL: THE LATEST | | | | 
Mayor Eric Adams has increasingly been at odds with the City Council amid budget negotiations. | Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office | BUDGET POWERS: The City Council doesn’t HAVE to approve a budget if Mayor Adams isn’t funding the things they want, a progressive org is reminding legislators. Negotiations between the council and mayor are tense ahead of the July 1 deadline, the Daily News reported. So the Peoples’ Plan, NYC-DSA and dozens of other left-leaning groups are sending members a letter today saying they could unilaterally amend the budget, as the body did amid disagreements with then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 1998. If Adams doesn’t agree to certain funding levels for affordable housing, school nurses and libraries, then “we would support the City Council to do everything it takes to deliver for working families — including using its powers to overrule the Mayor.” Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, who’s on the budget negotiating team, said Tuesday she expects to reach a deal before the deadline, but expressed frustration with the mayor’s side. “There’s still a lot more that has to be negotiated,” she said, “and right now they’re not engaging in good faith conversations.” The mayor downplayed tensions on Monday, saying he and Speaker Adams will “land the plane” like they have the previous two years. — Jeff Coltin STRAW DEAL: The Manhattan District Attorney dropped charges against Ronald Peek after initially accusing him of participation in a straw donor scheme meant to funnel money to the 2021 campaign of Mayor Eric Adams. “My client is looking forward to moving on now that he has been able to clear his name,” Ian Niles, attorney for Peeks, said in a statement following the decision. “We thank the court as well as the Manhattan District Attorney’s office for its thorough investigation that led to this dismissal.” — Joe Anuta More from the city: — The NYPD last year spent more on helicopter operations, took more flights outside of the city and spent more time in the air than in the four years prior. (Bloomberg News) — The NYPD deployed drones to a Juneteenth block party after the Adams admin denied Black Lives Matter activist Hawk Newsome a permit since he applied at the last minute. (Daily News) — The city can proceed with its long-delayed plan to build housing on the Elizabeth Street Garden, the state’s top court ruled. (Crain’s)
| | NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY | | | 
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's pro-Israel organization will begin airing ads in support of the country amid the conflict in Gaza. | Richard Drew/AP | COMING TO A SCREEN NEAR YOU: Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s pro-Israel advocacy organization Never Again, Now will begin airing TV ads in the supporting of the country amid the ongoing war with Hamas. The ads will “tell the truth about Hamas” and support Israel, Cuomo told a crowd of more than 140 people at The Harmonie Club, a predominantly Jewish social club in Manhattan, earlier this week. No spending target for the ad campaign has been set. But it’s the first time that the group Cuomo formed earlier this year — in response to a rise in antisemitism in New York that happens to coincide with Cuomo’s own interest in returning to politics — will undertake major public activity with an ad campaign. Cuomo has not ruled out a potential comeback bid after his resignation in 2021 following allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct. He is said to be considering challenging Adams for mayor next year but his close aides reserve most of their ire for Hochul, who is up in 2026. The former governor this month has also faced renewed scrutiny from state and federal officials who have questioned his handling of the early months of Covid-19 pandemic. On all fronts, Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing. Cuomo, speaking to more than 140 people at the Tuesday night event, knocked Democrats who act like “a weathervane” and waver in their support for Israel in response to pro-Palestinian demonstrations. “You see the Democrats all taking half a step back,” Cuomo told the gathering. “These young activists, they’re very powerful, especially in the primaries.” Cuomo has stepped up his appearances before small, mostly sympathetic audiences in New York City. He often speaks to Black churches to criticize the state of the city, public safety and housing, keeping in touch with a key portion of his base in the process. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — The Hochul-commissioned report on Covid-19 included false claims, the state comptroller’s office said. (Times Union) — Two top officials at the Office of Cannabis Management were let go following the departure of Executive Director Chris Alexander. (Post-Standard)
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | | 
Rep. Jamaal Bowman apologized for comments made about sexual violence against Israeli women after the United Nations released more evidence supporting the claims. | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images | SAYING SORRY: Bowman apologized this week for calling Hamas’ sexual violence against Israeli women on Oct. 7 “propaganda” and “lies.” Bowman, the left-leaning Democrat facing the prospect of defeat next week, said in response to a WNYC caller, “Immediately when the UN provided additional evidence, I voted to condemn the sexual violence. I apologize for my comments and now we’re continuing to do the work to fight sexual violence and domestic violence in all its forms.” After POLITICO first reported on the comments he made at a pro-Palestinian rally last November, Bowman condemned Hamas and said he “always stand[s] against sexual violence in all forms” but didn’t apologize at the time. His initial comments have been used in several attack ads and mailers. — Daniel Lippman More from Congress: — Former staffers of House candidate John Mannion, a state senator, allegedly fostered a hostile work environment where he routinely berated employees and retaliated against those who spoke up. (New York Post) — Attack ads hit Democratic House candidate John Avlon in his Long Island primary against Nancy Goroff. (New York Times) — A Texas-based conservative small business advocacy group is running ads against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and for her primary opponent in Times Square. (New York Post) — Former Rep. Mondaire Jones has received almost $25,000 in salary payments from two of his congressional campaigns, according to financial disclosures. (New York Post)
| | | | JOIN US ON 6/26 FOR A TALK ON AMERICA’S SUPPLY CHAIN: From the energy grid to defense factories, America’s critical sites and services are a national priority. Keeping them up and running means staying ahead of the threat and protecting the supply chains that feed into them. POLITICO will convene U.S. leaders from agencies, Congress and the industry on June 26 to discuss the latest challenges and solutions for protecting the supply lines into America’s critical infrastructure. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | NEW YORK STATE OF MIND | | | 
A judicial candidate is alleging the Democratic Party is influencing bar association ratings. | AP Photo/Julio Cortez | LEST YE BE JUDGED: The judge challenging the Queens Democratic Party’s hold over Surrogate Court got a dreaded “not approved” rating from both the Queens and New York City Bar Association — but Wendy Li says it’s because they’re “under the influence of the machine.” Both orgs rated her opponent Cassandra Johnson “approved.” While the bar associations declined to explain their reasoning, the Daily News Editorial Board reported it’s because Li, a Civil Court judge, lacked the experience of Johnson, a judge on the higher-level Supreme Court. The News endorsed Li, saying she supports reforms that Johnson doesn’t. In a statement to Playbook, Li called the non-approval “a miscarriage of justice,” adding “my educational and professional record, intellectual ability, work ethic, and fitness to be the next Queens Surrogate’s Court Judge speak far louder than a predetermined political decision in furtherance of the Queens political machine’s influence.” The Queens Eagle previously reported on the borough bar association’s rating. The low-profile race is the only Queens-wide primary this year and is a major test for the county organization under Rep. Greg Meeks. — Jeff Coltin — Black New Yorkers are still more likely to die from heat-related complications compared to their white counterparts. (Gothamist)
| | SOCIAL DATA | | Edited by Daniel Lippman OUT & ABOUT: Abundance New York, a new nonprofit meant to be a “political home” for pro-housing, pro-growth New Yorkers, had a launch party Tuesday night at Savta in Greenwich Village. Co-founder Ryder Kessler, a former Assembly candidate, said “things aren’t working” because electeds “listen to the minority of folks for whom the status quo is working, homeowners and car owners.” SPOTTED: Co-founder Catherine Vaughan of Swing Left, Council Member Erik Bottcher, Assemblymember Alex Bores, Council District 2 candidates Andrea Gordillo and Sarah Batchu, Kellie Leeson, former Council Member Marjorie Velázquez, John Sanchez, Jennie Frishtick, Casey Berkowitz, City & State’s Holly Pretsky, Ben Max, Andrew Goldston, Ana Chireno, Open New York’s Annemarie Gray and Alta Viscomi. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Adrienne Elrod … POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein … CNN’s Janie Boschma … Vic Grace … Olivia Ruth Messer … Sara Pearl Kenigsberg … Tom Tripicco … (WAS WEDNESDAY): Blair Effron ... Reuters’ Jeff Mason … POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt and Melissa Cooke … Anne Gearan … Marcus Brauchli … Tom Hoare … Rebecca Karabus … Seth Stevenson … Jenna Kastan … Mary Dalrymple of Eagle Hill Consulting … former SEC Chair Mary Schapiro … Christina Ruffini … Isaac Chotiner ... Andrew Perlman ... Kenneth Lipper Missed TUESDAY’s New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.
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