Unity prevails at Democratic rally despite rivalry between James and Hochul

 Democrat rally in Valley Stream, Chuck Schumer at lectern, Hochul on the left; James on the right; Kaminsky behind Schumer

 Nassau Democrats' Valley Stream headquarters was packed today for a noon unity rally featuring Kathy Hochul, the state's lieutenant governor who became governor when Andrew Cuomo resigned in August, and Letitia James, the state's Attorney General who took Cuomo out through two investigations.

Oh, and of course, New York's ubiquitous senator, Chuck Schumer, the U.S. Senate Majority Leader, was there too.

As you can see, the headquarters was packed. Hundreds of more supporters were outside, unable to get into the small room, a source said.

Both Hochul and James have announced their plans to run for governor next year. But this was a unity rally and they were cordial. No fireworks there.

James also made a strong pitch for Todd Kaminsky, a Democratic state senator and former prosecutor from Long Beach who is running for Nassau District Attorney.

Already, political pundits are wondering who will run for Jame's job if she win the primary for governor.

Some suggest Kaminsky could be candidate if he doesn't defeat Republican Anne Donnelly, a 32-year assistant district attorney in the Nassau DA's office, on Tuesday.


 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CSEA retirees file suit to stop new contract insurance change (Updated)

Image
Civil Service Employee Association retirees today were in court attempting to stop a change in health insurance included in a new union contract scheduled to take effect Jan.1. The "Nassau Retirees Legal Fund" and eight other CSEA employees argue in a class action lawsuit filed today against Nassau and County Executive Bruce Blakeman in Nassau Supreme Court that they face  " imminent and irreparable medical, emotional, and financial harm because the County intends to deprive them of promised health benefits in 2024." The new contract negotiated between the union and Republican County Executive Bruce Blakeman and ratified by members in August changes the health insurance from New York's Empire plan -- which provides platinum coverage -- to the New York Excelsior plan. The Excelsior plan is more costly for union members but less expensive for the county.  Update:  The state, meanwhile, has increased rates for the Excelsior plan -- in come cases by more than 40 pe
Read more

Nassau CSEA contract deal -- talk of the county for two days -- finally announced (UPDATED)

Image
Talk around Nassau County for the past two days has been that Republican County Executive Bruce Blakeman had struck a new labor agreement, signed Monday, with the county's largest union, the Nassau Civil Service Employees Association. The CSEA, which include most non-law enforcement county employees, has been working without a contract since the end of 2017. As of June, there were 3,359 fulltime CSEA members. An announcement went out late today but it didn't say much: A spokesman for Republican County Executive Bruce Blakeman did not respond to an email today asking when the CSEA deal would be announced. Everyone is looking at the CSEA because exempt employees -- county workers who are hired and fired at will -- traditionally are given the same benefits as the union members. But the exempts are not happy with some of the rumors about the agreement: one is that the CSEA will take a lesser health insurance plan in return for an upfront payment, perhaps of $1,500, for each member.
Read more

Eisenhower Park restaurant to be run by D'Amato client

Image
                                                                                A Manhasset group with ties to the food service business has won its bid to run a county-owned restaurant, cigar club, and golf concessions in Eisenhower Park,  replacing longtime operator Anthony Capetola. Capetola, a colorful Republican lawyer, has operated Carltun on the Park since 1995 through various license agreements and extensions under four different county executives, Republican and Democrat. But the county selected EGB Hospitality LLC of Manhasset from two proposals for a new 15-year operating license that begins this fall, with another five-year option, according to the deal submitted to the county legislature for approval on Monday. Lawyer Elias Trahanas, of Great Neck appears to be the lead principal in the five-member EGH group, along with his brother Bobby.  EGB Management Team Both Elias and Bobby trace their food service roots to the family-operated Golden Reef Diner in Rockville Centre, s
Read more