Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Transit union gives big bucks to NY Gov. Hochul’s campaign while blasting her in public
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Clayton Guse
Published Jul 19, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Clayton Guse
Published Jul 19, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
This column originally appeared in On The Way, a weekly newsletter covering everything you need to know about NYC-area transportation.
Sign up to get the full version, which includes answers to reader questions, trivia, service changes and more, in your inbox every Thursday.
The influential union boss representing a majority of the MTA’s workforce has in recent months publicly called Gov. Kathy Hochul an “enemy” of transit workers. But behind the scenes, his organization has poured cash into her campaign fund.
Transport Workers Union International President John Samueslen has since last year repeatedly blamed Hochul for fraught contract negotiations with Metro-North workers, which were resolved in November. In the last month alone, he’s called for Attorney General Letitia James to run for governor in 2026, described Hochul as a "Little Leaguer" and claimed she’s “accomplished zilch.”
TWU Local 100’s campaign contributions point to a different view of Hochul’s record. The local – which is a chapter of TWU International – represents more than 40,000 rank-and-file New York City transit workers. On July 11, the local donated $18,000 — the maximum allowed under state law — to Hochul’s campaign fund, according to records published this week.
While Samuelsen oversees the international union, he explained the local chapter has “autonomy, and that includes the ability to make political contributions where it’s permissible.” He said no other TWU locals would be donating to Hochul.
A spokesperson for Hochul’s campaign declined to comment.
Still, the hefty donation highlights the fraught politics that contributed to Hochul’s decision to indefinitely pause congestion pricing. Even as Samuelsen slammed the governor’s office for its conduct during the Metro-North negotiations, he supported Hochul’s decision in June to halt the tolling program. He'd called the proposed tolls “a total abrogation of Hochul’s responsibility to working class New Yorkers” that should have been accompanied by an expansion of public transit.
“John Samuelsen knows better than anyone that New York's economy is an attention economy – the more over-the-top the comment, the more likely it's going to get attention,” Nicole Gelinas, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, said. “On the merits, though, the governor has recently delivered on an important union issue, pausing congestion pricing.”
Hochul, for her part, has said that the $15 base fare of congestion pricing “could break the budget of a hard-working middle-class household.”
Yet Hochul’s decision continues to be a political vulnerability – just take a look at the flyers posted in subway stations throughout the city blaming her for delayed trains. The donation shouldn’t be interpreted as a sign Hochul will receive the union’s support if she runs for reelection in 2026, Samuelsen said.
“She’s the exact type of Democrat who’s crippling (President) Joe Biden’s chances,” he said.
Curious Commuter
Have a question for us? Curious Commuter questions are exclusive for On The Way newsletter subscribers. Sign up for free here and check Thursday’s newsletter for a link to submit your questions!
Question from Benjamin in Brooklyn
Does anyone actually monitor the new email address to monitor the G line shutdown? I have submitted an email complaint and never received even an acknowledgment.
Answer
You’re one of the few riders who have sent a missive to that email address. The MTA has appointed a “czar,” Hugo Zamora, to keep commuters moving on shuttle buses along the G line during the summer shutdown that began last month. The agency puts out a weekly G train newsletter. And it has an email address, [email protected], where commuters can ask questions about the project.
(Why they opted to use a Gmail address is a mystery to me.)
But MTA officials say it’s hardly used: Only 11 people have emailed the address, and eight of them got responses, according to MTA spokesperson Kayla Shults. Benjamin’s inquiry is among the three that did not receive a reply.
“The general themes of these emails are shuttle bus lanes being blocked, subsequent traffic delays and NYPD enforcement," Shults wrote in a statement.
The latest NYC area transit headlines
Listen here:
- A proposal for a high-speed train that would get from New York City to Boston in 100 minutes is gaining traction, with labor unions highlighting the jobs the project would bring to the Northeast. Read more.
- Mayor Eric Adams said gun-detecting scanners equipped with AI will soon be installed in subway stations — even as new NYPD data shows a drop in transit crime. Read more.
- NJ Transit warned this week that it was experiencing “heat-related rail equipment issues” that could cause train delays. Read more.
- The MTA has quietly cut bus service in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan by 10% due to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s pause of congestion pricing, the transit workers union and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams allege in a new lawsuit. Read more.
- Between tolling camera expenses, legal fees and the cost of paying 600 employees to spend four years working on the congestion pricing program, the MTA may have thrown $1 billion down the drain thanks to Hochul’s about-face. (The New York Times)
- Amazon delivery drivers are parking their massive trucks in Manhattan bike lanes and it’s unclear if the police are doing anything to stop them. (Hell Gate)
- It is once again summer, and there are once again subway cars without working ACs. (amNewYork)
Tagged
new york city
transportation
Stephen Nessen
Stephen Nessen covers transportation. Since 2008 he has reported on everything from Occupy Wall Street, the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site, Hurricane Sandy, to Trump’s campaign for president. His transportation reporting has taken him everywhere from the MTA’s secret Rail Control Center to the gleaming subways of Seoul. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
Read more
Clayton Guse
Clayton is the editor of the Transit and Infrastructure desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Need help with mental health or addiction services? NYC has a new tool.
In surveys, many who say they want want help state they don't know where to start.
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
City attorneys allege the firm said its clients were injured by defective city streets or sidewalks when in reality they were hit by cars or banged up in fights.
By
Walter Wuthmann
News
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
City attorneys allege the firm said its clients were injured by defective city streets or sidewalks when in reality they were hit by cars or banged up in fights.
By
Walter Wuthmann
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
By
Catalina Gonella
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .