Shontell reflects on the Cuomo mayoral primary campaign - Part 2
Release Date: 08/08/2025
Won't somebody think of the businesses?!?!?
Dispatches from Planet Albany
A recent report from the Business Council of New York State made the case that employers in the Empire State don't feel like they're being heard by state policymakers. Putting aside that every interest group feels like this, it's undeniable that business interests do play a lot of defense during the legislative session in Albany. To discuss the lobbying efforts of the business community we sat down with former Democratic Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, who is now a lobbyist with Brown & Weinraub. And for Working Rules we explored the relationship between New York governors and the State...
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A letter to New York Democrats
Dispatches from Planet Albany
What does it mean to be a Democrat? in New York by Matt Castelli, who is best known in the Empire State for his 2022 congressional shellacking at the hands of Rep. Elise Stefanik. The former CIA operative has regrouped in Dutchess County, where there is speculation about a 2027 run for county executive, and is hoping to rebuild his party's brand in New York with input from the county committees. Castelli joined the show to make the case that Democrats have to stand for more than a resistance to President Donald Trump, discussed his political future, and offered some messaging tips for...
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Navigating Planet Albany with Zohran's Bronx Assembly ally
Dispatches from Planet Albany
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has a short list of accomplishments in Albany during his time in the Assembly, but his plans for the Big Apple will require him to be successful at the state's Capitol. We talked about that path to success with Assemblymember Amanda Septimo, a Bronx Democrat, who has been described as part of Mamdani's "brain trust." We consider what he'll prioritize for Albany in 2026, how she can be helpful to his agenda, and what the relationship between the mayor and governor could look like next year. And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and...
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Rep. Elise Stefanik officially jumps in
Dispatches from Planet Albany
After months of flirting with a gubernatorial run, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik jumped into the race in November. We discuss the North Country Republican's longshot path to the Executive Mansion in Albany with Chapin Fay, a veteran GOP strategist and founder of . We talk about the importance of New York City for Stefanik in a general election, consider the ramifications of a GOP primary, and debate whether President Donald Trump or NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will be more problematic for their respective parties in the race for governor.
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An election post-mortem for NY Democrats
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Democrats made inroads all over New York on Election Day, including flipping some Republican-held county legislatures, and the party's mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani, got the highest number of votes in decades. We break down this good news for the Democratic Party, the not-so-good news in Nassau County, the status of the New York party infrastructure, and the prospects of governing and running for elections in 2026 with the help of BerlinRosen Senior Vice President Loren Amor, SKDK Senior Vice President Bryan Lesswing, and Long Island Assemblymember Chuck Lavine.
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LG Antonio Delgado's vision for the NY Dems
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado joins the show to talk politics, including share his grievances with the New York Democratic Party under the control of Gov. Kathy Hochul and NY Dems Chair Jay Jacobs. The gubernatorial hopeful also discusses the future of U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and what he's looking for in a number two. You can catch our conversation about his policy positions, including support for Medical Aid in Dying, in .
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And then there were three casino projects
Dispatches from Planet Albany
The field of contenders for three downstate casino licenses has been whittled down to three options and the selection process could conclude imminently, so we're checking in on how we got there and what might happen next. Crain's New York Business political reporter Nick Garber discusses the surprise decision by MGM to abandon their casino bid, highlights some of the peculiar moments in this journey, and considers whether less than three licenses will be awarded. Then for Working Rules we make some election predictions with The Parkside Group's Alex Elmasri, including reading tea leave in...
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Hochul struggles to connect with Mamdani's base
Dispatches from Planet Albany
After documenting the challenging working conditions and underwhelming compensation for central staff in the Assembly, New York Focus senior reporter Sam Mellins reports that at least the pay is getting better for the behind-the-scenes personnel that make the people's house run. Mellins discusses who is getting a raise and the status of unionization efforts by legislative staffer. Then for Working Rules, Slingshot Strategies partner Alyssa Cass joins host David Lombardo to dissect Gov. Kathy Hochul's underwhelming appearance at a campaign rally for Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani over the weekend....
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Buying and selling Andrew Gounardes, treatment courts, and affordability
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Wonder who is on the rise in New York? Curious what campaign are heading in the wrong direction? Patrick Wildes, director of Albany Law School's Government Law Center, and Dan Clark, author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter, join host David Lombardo to offer trading tips on issues and people for our Capitol stock market. They make predictions on the future of Sen. Andrew Gounardes, treatment courts, efforts to promote affordability, and much more. And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and consider becoming a to support the podcast (because we could really use...
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NY Health Act advocates hope federal chaos aids their cause in 2026
Dispatches from Planet Albany
New York policymakers will face some hard choices in 2026 about the state's health care system as the result of changes coming from Washington D.C. that include cuts to providers and regulations that could bounce people off government-run insurance. Advocates of the New York Health Act, which would create a state-run, single-payer health insurance system, hope the state's predicament will make their legislation more appealing to state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul. Campaign for New York Health Executive Director Melanie D'Arrigo discusses the obstacles to passing this...
info_outlineThe race to be the Democratic mayoral nominee in New York City is in the rear view mirror, so Shontell Smith is making good on her promise this spring to peel back the curtain on her work for Andrew Cuomo's unsuccesful primary bid.
In the second part of our conversation, the Tusk Strategies partner reveals that progressives wanted to work behind the scenes for the former governor, reflects on the mayoral campaigns of Brad Lander and Zellnor Myrie, defends Cuomo talking points on the pandemic, and identifies some of her favorite political analysts on Twitter.
And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).
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