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How Cuomo Is Looming Over The NYC Mayor’s Race
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Feb 10, 2021
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By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Feb 10, 2021
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During a mayoral forum this week that focused on what types of state policies the candidates would pursue in Albany, City Councilmember Carlos Menchaca, a left-leaning contender in the race, was asked how he would handle working with Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The forum's moderator Ben Max of Gotham Gazette, reminded Menchaca that in the 2018 gubernatorial election he endorsed Cuomo's opponent, the actress-turned-progressive-activist Cynthia Nixon.
The candidate uneasily tried to sidestep the question, but Max didn't let him off the hook. What would Menchaca do if he won the primary and Cuomo called him? he asked. "Do you say 'Looking forward to working with you' or 'watch out'?"
Menchaca chuckled and replied, "Both."
The exchange illustrated how the governor is looming over the New York City mayoral race, becoming a frequent question put to candidates as they campaign their way through a seemingly ad infinitum series of Zoom forums. In any year, the power the governor—and Cuomo, in particular—wields over the city cannot be overstated. George Arzt, a political consultant who served as Mayor Ed Koch's press secretary, said that Cuomo once told him that the mayor of New York City "can’t go to the bathroom without the state giving him permission."
But as the next leader tries to spearhead the city's economic recovery, securing financial aid and beneficial policies in Albany will be more imperative than ever. The next mayor's relationship with Cuomo has arguably become an even greater focus because of his policy squabbles with Mayor Bill de Blasio. In most of those instances, the governor has prevailed because of his overarching executive authority.
"It’s useful to think of Mayor de Blasio’s approach as a textbook on what not to do," said David Birdsell, dean of the Baruch College School of Public Affairs.
New York City mayors have historically battled with governors. During his tenure, de Blasio has frequently challenged Cuomo in areas he controls. During the pandemic, he has publicly tried to pressure the governor, who currently has emergency executive power, on everything from the vaccine rollout to shutdowns. The political tug-of-war has in some instances confused the public, such as the moment in April when the mayor announced the closure of schools for the rest of the academic year only to have the governor shortly contradict him.
More recently, the two have battled over expanding vaccinations to more groups of New Yorkers, leading to their respective staff members airing out policy differences on Twitter.
The rupture between Cuomo and de Blasio is often traced back to the mayor's request for state funding for his universal Pre-K plan. After pressure from de Blasio, Cuomo granted him the funding.
"That should have been a cue for the mayor to say 'thank you,'" said Ester Fuchs, a professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs who advised prior mayors David Dinkins and Michael Bloomberg.
She added: "You have to take into account personality and governing style and recognize that the governor has most of the cards."
De Blasio, however, insisted on a millionaires' tax even though it was an election year for Cuomo, who has governed as a socially progressive tax-cutting Democrat.
According to Arzt, "That's what caused all the problems in the first place."
Both Cuomo and de Blasio have repeatedly played down their conflicts. And although they may seem rare, there have also been moments of unity. Kate Slevin, a senior vice president for the Regional Plan Association who works on transportation issues in Albany, recalled when de Blasio and Cuomo strode together out of the governor's office in 2019 to announce their support of congestion pricing. The image was not lost on her and other transportation advocates. "To the extent that there can be agreed-upon proposals, it can accelerate good policies," she said.
As with so many other issues, many of the leading candidates have gone out of their way to criticize de Blasio's approach.
Both City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams have argued that their past experience in Albany will help them lobby the governor as well as the legislature. Stringer served a state Assemblyman while Adams was a state Senator.
"Time and time again, the mayor's lunch money was stolen even before he walked into the state capital," Stringer said.
Specifically, Stringer said he would start by building a consensus among lawmakers during the legislature's off-session. He touted his relationships with progressives in the party.
Of working with the governor, he said: "This is about mutual respect."
Some of the candidates have argued that they would be willing to let Cuomo occupy the spotlight.
"You have to recognize that there are times when you get what you want done because you let the governor take credit," said Maya Wiley, who worked as counsel to de Blasio, during the forum.
Adams, meanwhile, said he would not engage in public disputes with the governor and that they would have their disagreements behind closed doors. "We will have a united front," he said.
And prior to coming down with coronavirus, Andrew Yang said somewhat obsequiously, “I am willing to be a friend and ally—and sidekick if necessary—to the governor.”
In contrast, Dianne Morales, a progressive candidate, bluntly blamed Cuomo and "backroom deals" for the city failing to accomplish its state legislative goals.
Birdsell said that the next mayor’s relationship with the governor will depend on their politics. A "hard-charging progressive," he said, is likely to mean a number of policy clashes over everything from rent regulations to schools to taxation to policing. Meanwhile, a moderate mayor "may have fewer built-in friction points to negotiate, but will still have the challenge of doing big things without defying or getting out too far ahead of the Governor in areas that he controls," he said.
Fuchs said that putting together a political coalition in Albany is notoriously difficult for mayors.
"You can do everything right and still lose," she said.
Cuomo himself has not weighed in on the race. His office did not respond to a request for comment.
Tagged
mayoral election
election 2021
Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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