Ridin’ with Kamala? Some but not all.

Jul 22, 2024

By Emily Ngo, Nick Reisman and Jeff Coltin

With help from Rich Mendez

Some New York Democrats didn’t immediately endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president on Sunday. | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The New York Democrats who sided most adamantly with President Joe Biden until he announced he would not be running were among the first Sunday to follow his lead and back Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.

But others in their party, especially House candidates in tough races around the state, were more hesitant — at least in the hours after Biden’s historic withdrawal from the ticket he was dragging down.

Gov. Kathy Hochul (more below) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were the highest-profile electeds in the state to endorse Harris and urge Democratic unity.

“Let’s get to work,” they each wrote in separate statements.

“Now more than ever, it is crucial that our party and country swiftly unite to defeat Donald Trump and the threat to American democracy,” posted Ocasio-Cortez, who as a Democratic socialist is far to Hochul’s left.

As of late Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had hailed Biden as a hero to the country without throwing in for Harris just yet. (Through a spokesperson, Schumer declined to say whether he supports Harris. Jeffries’ spokesperson did not respond.)

Perhaps more tellingly, the Democrats running in the state’s six most competitive House races did not jump to endorse Harris. Five of them didn’t mention the vice president at all. All of them thanked Biden for his decades of service.

“President Biden is a Patriot,” Frontline Rep. Pat Ryan of the Hudson Valley posted Sunday. “Delivering on his promise to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders is a fitting capstone to a life of selfless service.”

Ryan, a combat veteran facing former NYPD officer Alison Esposito, had been among the roughly 35 congressional Democrats who had urged Biden to reconsider his reelection bid for the good of the country.

The Biden-Harris campaign, for its part, was full steam ahead and amended its Federal Election Commission filings to declare Harris as a candidate for president.

Biden bowed out of the race Sunday after three weeks of mounting pressure following an abysmal debate performance that highlighted his frailty.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” he wrote in a letter posted to social media.

Ryan and many of the Democratic House contenders, understandably and unsurprisingly, sought to draw attention back to their candidacies and races.

Former Rep. Mondaire Jones, facing Rep. Mike Lawler in the Hudson Valley, posted a photo of himself with Biden in listing their joint achievements.

John Avlon, a former CNN host running against Rep. Nick LaLota on Long Island, said that Biden understood that “the challenges of our divided times require putting country over party.”

Avlon was the sole Democrat in the six most closely watched swing districts who referenced Harris publicly, but he said obliquely, “I respect that President Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who is a former U.S. Senator, Attorney General, and District Attorney.” — Emily Ngo

IT’S MONDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.

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WHERE’S KATHY? Making a housing announcement in New York City.

WHERE’S ERIC? Appearing live on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe," then making a public safety- and transportation-related announcement. Later, he'll be hosting a roundtable discussion with leaders in the Yemeni community, delivering remarks at a flag-raising ceremony for Peru, then taking questions from New Yorkers on News12.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we’ve got to elect her.” — Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a statement contrasting that by former President Barack Obama, who endorses an open primary process.

ABOVE THE FOLD

Rep. Elise Stefanik speaks.

Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik plans to target Harris over Biden administration border policies. | Morry Gash/AP

GOP GOES AFTER HARRIS: Some Democrats in New York took a beat before deciding on Harris, but Republicans did not wait to pounce.

House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik said she plans today to introduce a “resolution condemning Kamala Harris’ role as Joe Biden’s ‘Border czar’ leading to the most catastrophic open border crisis in history.”

It doesn’t come as a surprise after last week’s nominating convention, when Republicans made clear they planned to use immigration as a line of attack against Harris, whom Biden assigned in 2021 to lead efforts to address the “root causes” of migration at the southern border.

Stefanik of North Country also called on Biden to resign immediately.

Lawler, meanwhile, told Playbook of Harris, “She owns the policies of this administration — from the economy to the border to the crises around the globe. She has been a partner with President Biden with this endeavor. I don’t see it changing all that much.”

The Hudson Valley Republican competing for a second term against Jones in a politically moderate district had taken a more diplomatic tact in an earlier statement.

“Though President Biden and I have not seen eye-to-eye on a number of issues, I recognize his deep commitment to our country,” Lawler had said, “and thank him for his years of service to the nation.” — Emily Ngo, Nick Reisman and Irie Sentner

CITY HALL: THE LATEST

Eric Adams is seen at a a news conference.

Mayor Eric Adams isn’t backing Harris just yet. | Mary Altaffer/AP

ADAMS’ BORDER FOCUS: In a busy night of interviews Sunday, Mayor Eric Adams commended Biden on his “tough” decision to drop out of the presidential race, but declined to endorse Harris for the nomination.

“I have a great deal of respect for the vice president, but I think there's a process in place and we’re going to allow that process to go through,” Adams told NY1.

He is expected to endorse Harris on Monday, according to a source familiar with the matter.

But on Sunday, he implicitly criticized her on CNN, saying, “I’ve been frustrated with the national leadership. Dealing with immigration reform is something that we have failed at for years, even prior to this administration. That was very clear. We needed one person, a czar, to deal with the influx of migrants that were coming to our country who were paroled in.”

He offered some words of praise, saying the White House “has done an amazing job for America” on many significant issues.

But on Sunday night Adams did not embrace Harris like many other New York Democrats did — in keeping with his long-standing criticism of the White House’s handling of the migrant crisis. (His view is in line with frustrations felt across the city and country over immigration.)

Adams expressed frustration last year with Harris’ handling of the border crisis as New York City was tasked with housing tens of thousands of migrants from the southern border. He said at the time she had “too much on her portfolio.”

But the mayor said Sunday those concerns had nothing to do with his call for senior party leaders to carve the path forward in selecting a nominee.

“As your delegate, I’m going to ensure that we engage in the communication that's needed for the next step,” he said.

Asked about what an open convention would mean for party unity, Adams said he is optimistic about November as long as the party focuses on highlighting issues like border security, affordability and public safety.

“I think you’re going to see the party come together as a whole,” he said on 1010 WINS. — Rich Mendez

More from the city:

— Adams was on the scene as police seized nearly $10 million worth of narcotics in the Bronx. (CBS News New York)

— The commissioner who led the FDNY during 9/11 said outgoing Commissioner Laura Kavanagh was pushed out by the department’s “old boy’s club.” (New York Post)

— This 20-ton door is the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel's last line of defense against floods, according to the MTA. (Gothamist)

NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY

New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks to supporters during the election night party for Gov. Kathy Hochul, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in New York.

Attorney General Tish James endorsed Harris for president on Sunday. | Mary Altaffer/AP

FROM ONE AG TO ANOTHER: Attorney General Tish James became the first statewide Democrat to endorse Harris in the hours after Biden ended his reelection bid.

Hochul followed suit hours later.

The Harris train may be departing quickly: Multiple Democratic governors, including California’s Gavin Newsom and Colorado’s Jared Polis, endorsed Harris Sunday evening.

Operatives for Harris have been reaching out to key Democrats in New York and around the country with check-in phone calls in the days leading up to Biden's announcement, according to a person familiar with the conversations.

Hochul had backed Biden’s candidacy until the end. But as she was doing so, James talked up Harris in a fundraising pitch.

James shortly after her endorsement announced she’s leading a coalition of Black attorneys general to boost Harris’ candidacy.

Throwing her support to Harris has some biographical rhyme to it: Both women have served as state attorneys general.

And James has squared off against Trump: Her office in February won a $355 million civil fraud judgment after the former president falsely inflated his net worth.

“Kamala has the experience that this country needs to protect our rights, support hardworking families, and move us forward,” James said in a statement.

Hochul’s endorsement of Harris was front-loaded with praise for Biden.

“When President Biden picked Kamala Harris to be his Vice President he unleashed incredible excitement for a new generation of political leadership,” Hochul said. “That same energy will carry us to November 5 with Vice President Harris leading our ticket.”

Jay Jacobs, the New York State Democratic Party chair, told Playbook on Sunday he was speaking with delegates to the Democratic National Convention as well as Hochul.

“Democrats are going to be very excited and Democrats are going to be energized,” Jacobs said. “Any one of the people whose names have been out there will only improve our chances.” — Nick Reisman