Annie McDonough
@anniemcdonough.bsky.social
Reporter @cityandstateny.bsky.social • Write me/send tips at amcdonough (at) cityandstateny (dot com) • DM for Signal • She/her
New: Last summer, the New York City Council accidentally paid former staffers who didn't work for the body at the time.
The council now says the former staffers have to pay them back.
The former staffers are pissed.
More here: www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
The council now says the former staffers have to pay them back.
The former staffers are pissed.
More here: www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
The New York City Council accidentally paid former staffers. Now the council is demanding repayment.
“I was shocked and horrified,” said one former staffer who is being asked to repay more than $800.
www.cityandstateny.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:04 PM
New: Last summer, the New York City Council accidentally paid former staffers who didn't work for the body at the time.
The council now says the former staffers have to pay them back.
The former staffers are pissed.
More here: www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
The council now says the former staffers have to pay them back.
The former staffers are pissed.
More here: www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Annie McDonough
Scoop from @anniemcdonough.bsky.social: City Council Member Carmen De La Rosa is dropping her own bid to be City Council Speaker and instead backing her colleague Crystal Hudson for the position.
It's a sign that progressives are consolidating behind Hudson: www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
It's a sign that progressives are consolidating behind Hudson: www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Carmen De La Rosa to drop speaker bid and back Crystal Hudson
The move could help consolidate support for a more progressive candidate for City Council speaker.
www.cityandstateny.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Scoop from @anniemcdonough.bsky.social: City Council Member Carmen De La Rosa is dropping her own bid to be City Council Speaker and instead backing her colleague Crystal Hudson for the position.
It's a sign that progressives are consolidating behind Hudson: www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
It's a sign that progressives are consolidating behind Hudson: www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Annie McDonough
Cuomo just clarified that he meant ONLY the last four years because of Hochul, a person he only minutes ago said he could work well with because he had picked her as his LG (though tried to ditch her at least twice)
Cuomo, speaking about how he'd deal with state elected leaders as mayor, says "the city has been getting screwed by the state" (quite ironic, given Cuomo was governor until 2021).
October 22, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Cuomo just clarified that he meant ONLY the last four years because of Hochul, a person he only minutes ago said he could work well with because he had picked her as his LG (though tried to ditch her at least twice)
Reposted by Annie McDonough
More video of the tank on Lafayette a short while ago outside 26 Federal Plaza, and federal agents making arrests of counter protesters.
October 21, 2025 at 10:19 PM
More video of the tank on Lafayette a short while ago outside 26 Federal Plaza, and federal agents making arrests of counter protesters.
Reposted by Annie McDonough
SCOOP: DSA-backed City Council Member @cmalexaaviles.bsky.social is exploring a primary challenge to Rep. Dan Goldman in NY-10.
Avilés is meeting with @socialists.nyc's Electoral Working Group next week to discuss her potential congressional run.
Read more at @cityandstateny.bsky.social:
Avilés is meeting with @socialists.nyc's Electoral Working Group next week to discuss her potential congressional run.
Read more at @cityandstateny.bsky.social:
Alexa Avilés exploring challenge to Rep. Dan Goldman in NY-10
The DSA-backed City Council member has been talking to allies about potentially challenging the incumbent representative.
www.cityandstateny.com
October 2, 2025 at 6:43 PM
SCOOP: DSA-backed City Council Member @cmalexaaviles.bsky.social is exploring a primary challenge to Rep. Dan Goldman in NY-10.
Avilés is meeting with @socialists.nyc's Electoral Working Group next week to discuss her potential congressional run.
Read more at @cityandstateny.bsky.social:
Avilés is meeting with @socialists.nyc's Electoral Working Group next week to discuss her potential congressional run.
Read more at @cityandstateny.bsky.social:
Curtis Sliwa wants all four major mayoral candidates to stand on the City Hall steps to jointly call for a ban on horse-drawn carriages.
On the very off chance that that doesn't come to fruition, we rounded up where the candidates stand on the issue.
www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...
On the very off chance that that doesn't come to fruition, we rounded up where the candidates stand on the issue.
www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...
Where do NYC mayoral candidates stand on banning horse-drawn carriages?
One guess where Curtis “Protect Animals party” Sliwa stands.
www.cityandstateny.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Curtis Sliwa wants all four major mayoral candidates to stand on the City Hall steps to jointly call for a ban on horse-drawn carriages.
On the very off chance that that doesn't come to fruition, we rounded up where the candidates stand on the issue.
www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...
On the very off chance that that doesn't come to fruition, we rounded up where the candidates stand on the issue.
www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...
Albany’s ‘3 people in a room’ are all with Zohran Mamdani.
The Democratic mayoral nominee is set to drive that point home with an appearance alongside state Senate Majority Leader (and early endorser) Andrea Stewart-Cousins tomorrow.
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
The Democratic mayoral nominee is set to drive that point home with an appearance alongside state Senate Majority Leader (and early endorser) Andrea Stewart-Cousins tomorrow.
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Albany’s ‘3 people in a room’ are all with Zohran Mamdani
They want him to be mayor. Will they support his agenda?
www.cityandstateny.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Albany’s ‘3 people in a room’ are all with Zohran Mamdani.
The Democratic mayoral nominee is set to drive that point home with an appearance alongside state Senate Majority Leader (and early endorser) Andrea Stewart-Cousins tomorrow.
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
The Democratic mayoral nominee is set to drive that point home with an appearance alongside state Senate Majority Leader (and early endorser) Andrea Stewart-Cousins tomorrow.
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Annie McDonough
Just now, 11 state and city lawmakers were arrested by DHS police on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza after a hour of demanding access to the ICE lock up on the same floor. @thecity.nyc
September 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Just now, 11 state and city lawmakers were arrested by DHS police on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza after a hour of demanding access to the ICE lock up on the same floor. @thecity.nyc
TB control, building bus lanes, cleaning parks - the MMR shows how staffing shortages hindered city services.
It also showed how new hires can improve them. DVS reached more veterans and some ACS specialists' case loads declined thanks to increased hiring
www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...
It also showed how new hires can improve them. DVS reached more veterans and some ACS specialists' case loads declined thanks to increased hiring
www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...
Tuberculosis control, bus lane construction, bathroom cleaning: Where staffing problems continued to hurt city services
An updated review of city agency performance in fiscal year 2025 highlights how staffing shortages contributed to delayed or diminished city services – and where the city saw some improvements.
www.cityandstateny.com
September 17, 2025 at 10:05 PM
TB control, building bus lanes, cleaning parks - the MMR shows how staffing shortages hindered city services.
It also showed how new hires can improve them. DVS reached more veterans and some ACS specialists' case loads declined thanks to increased hiring
www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...
It also showed how new hires can improve them. DVS reached more veterans and some ACS specialists' case loads declined thanks to increased hiring
www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...
Andrew Cuomo's "Zohran's Law" would 1) require new rent-stabilized tenants to be rent burdened to live in those units and 2) not apply to Zohran Mamdani.
More w/ @rebeccaclewis.bsky.social here
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
More w/ @rebeccaclewis.bsky.social here
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
‘Zohran’s Law,’ Cuomo’s very political housing proposal, would not apply to Zohran
The rule pitched by Cuomo’s campaign would means test incoming tenants in rent-stabilized units.
www.cityandstateny.com
August 11, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Andrew Cuomo's "Zohran's Law" would 1) require new rent-stabilized tenants to be rent burdened to live in those units and 2) not apply to Zohran Mamdani.
More w/ @rebeccaclewis.bsky.social here
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
More w/ @rebeccaclewis.bsky.social here
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Eric Adams is trying to thread an independent mayoral bid through the eye of a needle. Zohran Mamdani has the wind at his back
But if there's a time for Adams to shine, it’s on the campaign trail
More on the 2 candidates' retail chops w/@sahalied.bsky.social
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
But if there's a time for Adams to shine, it’s on the campaign trail
More on the 2 candidates' retail chops w/@sahalied.bsky.social
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
For Zohran Mamdani, Eric Adams is a different kind of rival
If Andrew Cuomo was more of a rarified cardboard box, Adams is a true street campaigner.
www.cityandstateny.com
July 10, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Eric Adams is trying to thread an independent mayoral bid through the eye of a needle. Zohran Mamdani has the wind at his back
But if there's a time for Adams to shine, it’s on the campaign trail
More on the 2 candidates' retail chops w/@sahalied.bsky.social
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
But if there's a time for Adams to shine, it’s on the campaign trail
More on the 2 candidates' retail chops w/@sahalied.bsky.social
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Zohran Mamdani aimed to assemble a new coalition of South Asian and Muslim voters to pull off a longshot victory in the Democratic primary.
He accomplished much more than that.
Took a look at his strong performance with Asian American voters here ⬇️
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
He accomplished much more than that.
Took a look at his strong performance with Asian American voters here ⬇️
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Zohran Mamdani’s Asian American coalition
The Assembly member who is well positioned to become New York City’s first Asian American mayor won with the support of the rapidly growing AAPI electorate.
www.cityandstateny.com
July 1, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Zohran Mamdani aimed to assemble a new coalition of South Asian and Muslim voters to pull off a longshot victory in the Democratic primary.
He accomplished much more than that.
Took a look at his strong performance with Asian American voters here ⬇️
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
He accomplished much more than that.
Took a look at his strong performance with Asian American voters here ⬇️
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
He’s taking in donations again. His campaign website is live. His scandal-scarred advisers are back in public view. And most importantly, he’s got an opponent he thinks he can beat.
More on Mayor Eric Adams' reelection kickoff w/ @sahalied.bsky.social here.
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
More on Mayor Eric Adams' reelection kickoff w/ @sahalied.bsky.social here.
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Eric Adams, surrounded by faith leaders, officially launches his reelection campaign
It would take an act of God for this man to be reelected, and if he is to be believed, there just might be one.
www.cityandstateny.com
June 26, 2025 at 9:32 PM
He’s taking in donations again. His campaign website is live. His scandal-scarred advisers are back in public view. And most importantly, he’s got an opponent he thinks he can beat.
More on Mayor Eric Adams' reelection kickoff w/ @sahalied.bsky.social here.
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
More on Mayor Eric Adams' reelection kickoff w/ @sahalied.bsky.social here.
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Zohran Mamdani stuns New York City. Andrew Cuomo calls to congratulate him on his victory.
More here with @sahalied.bsky.social, in a story that will be updated.
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
More here with @sahalied.bsky.social, in a story that will be updated.
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
And ultimately – Zohran Mamdani stuns New York
The 33-year-old democratic socialist Assembly member outperformed everyone’s expectations – emerging on election night with a decisive lead.
www.cityandstateny.com
June 25, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Zohran Mamdani stuns New York City. Andrew Cuomo calls to congratulate him on his victory.
More here with @sahalied.bsky.social, in a story that will be updated.
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
More here with @sahalied.bsky.social, in a story that will be updated.
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Annie McDonough
Read the story that had my editors saying "you wrote 3,000 words about this? that's way too much" www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Many expect Zohran Mamdani to take the WFP line if he loses to Cuomo. That’s far from a sure thing
Mamdani could run in the general election as the candidate of the Working Families Party, but he and the Democratic Socialists of America don’t bother with unwinnable races.
www.cityandstateny.com
June 24, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Read the story that had my editors saying "you wrote 3,000 words about this? that's way too much" www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Had a great time talking with Frank Festa @ballotpedia.org this morning about the non-stop thrill ride that is the 2025 mayoral race!
Catch the episode here before the next unexpected twist in the race makes it out of date.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wCi...
Catch the episode here before the next unexpected twist in the race makes it out of date.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wCi...
NYC Mayoral Primary 2025: Cuomo, Mamdani, RCV, and the Democrats’ Next Chapter
YouTube video by Ballotpedia
www.youtube.com
June 20, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Had a great time talking with Frank Festa @ballotpedia.org this morning about the non-stop thrill ride that is the 2025 mayoral race!
Catch the episode here before the next unexpected twist in the race makes it out of date.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wCi...
Catch the episode here before the next unexpected twist in the race makes it out of date.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wCi...
Reposted by Annie McDonough
NY Governor Kathy Hochul inside 26 Federal Plaza now, seeking answers from DHS/ICE about the arrest of NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, who is still being detained. @thecity.nyc "How long is this going to take, I don't think he has a long rap sheet," Hochul says to agents.
June 17, 2025 at 7:44 PM
NY Governor Kathy Hochul inside 26 Federal Plaza now, seeking answers from DHS/ICE about the arrest of NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, who is still being detained. @thecity.nyc "How long is this going to take, I don't think he has a long rap sheet," Hochul says to agents.
Reposted by Annie McDonough
The mayor refused to answer questions on this as he walked out of the briefing room
Here's a longer video of Brad Lander's detention just now inside 26 Federal Plaza as he tried to walk a man out of immigration court, by masked federal agents.
June 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The mayor refused to answer questions on this as he walked out of the briefing room
Reposted by Annie McDonough
Lander just got detained by federal agents as he tried to escort a man out of the courtroom. Lander was taken in an elevator with masked agents, along with one member of his NYPD security detail.
June 17, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Lander just got detained by federal agents as he tried to escort a man out of the courtroom. Lander was taken in an elevator with masked agents, along with one member of his NYPD security detail.
Reposted by Annie McDonough
We're back! 7 candidates onstage for the second and final NYC mayoral Democratic primary debate
June 12, 2025 at 11:05 PM
We're back! 7 candidates onstage for the second and final NYC mayoral Democratic primary debate
Reposted by Annie McDonough
"At least four of Ramos’ endorsers had rescinded their endorsements by the time she finished speaking on stage at a Cuomo campaign event on Friday morning" www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Progressives pull Ramos endorsements after she backs Andrew Cuomo
Several of the organizations and elected officials backing Ramos have quickly rescinded their endorsement or said they’re reconsidering it.
www.cityandstateny.com
June 6, 2025 at 5:51 PM
"At least four of Ramos’ endorsers had rescinded their endorsements by the time she finished speaking on stage at a Cuomo campaign event on Friday morning" www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Annie McDonough
He's leading Democratic Primary contenders in all the polls, but former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is also petitioning to run on an independent ballot line in November called the "Fight and Deliver" line. Their symbol? A pair of boxing gloves. Read more in our upcoming newsletter, The Sprint for City Hall
May 6, 2025 at 4:23 PM
He's leading Democratic Primary contenders in all the polls, but former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is also petitioning to run on an independent ballot line in November called the "Fight and Deliver" line. Their symbol? A pair of boxing gloves. Read more in our upcoming newsletter, The Sprint for City Hall
Endorsements in the New York City mayoral race are getting increasingly convoluted, but we're still tracking them here!
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Endorsements in the 2025 New York City mayoral race
Labor unions, political clubs and power brokers. Stay up to date on which mayoral candidates are getting the coveted endorsements for 2025.
www.cityandstateny.com
May 2, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Endorsements in the New York City mayoral race are getting increasingly convoluted, but we're still tracking them here!
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Both at make-or-break moments in their political careers, Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul aren’t at each other’s throats yet. But few believe that Cuomo, if elected mayor, will sink comfortably into the role of second fiddle.
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
Mayor Cuomo and Gov. Hochul? It would be weird.
There’s still a lot of uncertainty in the New York City mayor race, but one thing is for sure: the mayor will have less power than his or her counterpart in Albany.
www.cityandstateny.com
April 17, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Both at make-or-break moments in their political careers, Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul aren’t at each other’s throats yet. But few believe that Cuomo, if elected mayor, will sink comfortably into the role of second fiddle.
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...
An assistant commissioner in the NYPD with "substantial policy discretion" was fined $5,000 for soliciting and collecting $4,100 in donations for Mayor Eric Adams' reelection campaign last summer, per @nyccoib.bsky.social
April 17, 2025 at 4:47 PM
An assistant commissioner in the NYPD with "substantial policy discretion" was fined $5,000 for soliciting and collecting $4,100 in donations for Mayor Eric Adams' reelection campaign last summer, per @nyccoib.bsky.social