THE ISLAMAPHOBE & BLAKEMAN: As the Nassau County Executive, Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, has shown support for Muslim residents.
Blakeman has participated in Ramadan Iftar dinners, appointed the first Muslim chaplain to the county’s police force, and praised the contributions of Muslims to Nassau County and America.
However, as he campaigns for governor, Blakeman is aligning with a leading anti-Muslim figure in the GOP, raising questions he has yet to address.
Blakeman is set to appear with Rep. Andy Ogles, a Tennessee Republican known for advocating the “denaturalization” and “deportation” of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, at the Metropolitan Republican Club’s annual gala.
Ogles has stated, “Muslims don’t belong in American society,” Ogles has said. He has also called Mamdani “Little Muhammad” and argued that “denaturalizations and deportations are the only way to save the Big Apple.”
Blakeman’s team has not commented on Ogles’ past remarks or the candidate’s upcoming appearance with him.
Blakeman will give the gala’s keynote address, while Ogles is set to receive the club’s Ronald Reagan Award for the Advancement of Individual Liberty. Other notable attendees include Rudy Giuliani, Council Member Vickie Paladino, and pro-Israel influencer Emily Austin. Tickets start at $321.
The Metropolitan Republican Club is often seen as more mainstream compared to the far-right New York Young Republican Club. The New York State Young Republicans disbanded last year following the discovery of racist and antisemitic chats among members.
Ogles also spoke at the New York Young Republican Club’s gala in December, expressing views against “naturalized illegal immigrants” and advocating for deportations.
Husein Yatabarry, executive director of the Muslim Community Network, expressed concern over Ogles’ comments, citing the potential impact on New York’s 1.7 million Muslim residents’ political engagement.
“It’s disheartening that politicians are resorting to xenophobia and Islamophobia rather than embracing Muslims as integral to their communities,” Yatabarry stated.
Ogles, who wrote a letter to the Department of Justice seeking Mamdani’s denaturalization, did not respond to comment requests. He faces a political challenge as a Democratic mayor seeks to unseat him, and he is reportedly under investigation for potential campaign finance violations.
Blakeman, who often highlights his electoral success in Nassau County, easily won reelection in a challenging year for Republicans in New York.
His upcoming appearance is not his first with controversial GOP figures. He was previously the keynote speaker at an event honoring John Eastman, who was disbarred for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election. Blakeman also did not object when his running mate, Todd Hood, spoke at an event where Mamdani was derogatorily referred to.
“Mayor Mamdani is a disgrace,” Blakeman remarked. “He is anti-American, antisemitic, and anti-Cop.” — Jason Beeferman
FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
PAC IT UP: House Democrats’ biggest super PAC announced its “largest early investment” in history, notably excluding New York.
House Majority PAC revealed a $272 million initial advertising spend, with no allocation for New York City, where Democrats are defending Reps. Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen and attempting to capture Rep. Mike Lawler’s seat in NY-17.
However, Democrats can expect future funds, according to HMP.
“Today’s initial reservations focus on markets with steep rate increases, with more reservations to follow,” stated HMP’s communications director CJ Warnke. “HMP intends to invest significantly in districts like NJ-07 and NY-17.” The NYC market also covers Republican Rep. Tom Kean in New Jersey’s 7th District.
National Democratic groups are navigating a reduced electoral map in New York after flipping four seats previously. Last cycle, HMP’s initial reserve included $16 million for New York City and $5 million for upstate markets.
Conversely, the Congressional Leadership Fund, the House GOP’s main super PAC, recently announced its largest-ever initial advertising reservations. Their $153 million investment includes $18.6 million for New York City, with additional funds for Albany, Binghamton, and Syracuse, targeting Democratic Rep. Josh Riley’s district.
Last cycle, CLF’s initial reservation allocated $20 million for New York City and $8 million for other state markets.
“House Majority PAC isn’t spending a dollar to defend vulnerable Dem members Tom Suozzi, Laura Gillen, Josh Riley & [New Jersey Rep.] Nellie Pou,” CLF spokesperson Lydia Hall commented. “They’ve abandoned these incumbents while funding other initiatives nationwide.” — Madison Fernandez
From the Capitol
SCHRÖDINGER’S CANNABIS: New York’s medical cannabis program has received a boost as the Trump administration reclassified medical cannabis via executive order, shifting it from a Schedule I to Schedule III substance, opening a path to federal regulation.
This reclassification allows New York’s medical cannabis producers to take typical business deductions and register with the Drug Enforcement Administration, marking a significant change for an industry previously seen as illegal under federal law.
The cannabis industry in New York and beyond welcomes this normalization of medical cannabis use. Although the order does not immediately affect the state’s adult-use market, it suggests potential future changes.
“There are more questions than answers from this order,” noted Katie Neer, a regulatory lawyer for the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association.
This move could improve financial service access for the cannabis industry and attract more investment to New York’s operators. It could also enable product exportation under one of the nation’s strictest programs.
“It creates a global market for New York’s pharmaceutical cannabis products to be exported internationally,” said Adam Goers of Columbia Care. Regarding interstate commerce, he added, “We’ll see how that plays out.”
New York’s medical cannabis program began in January 2016 with 10 licensed operators. Currently, eight are operational, with 11 new licenses issued more recently.
As companies embrace this federal shift, they must navigate complex legal issues, especially for businesses selling both medical and adult-use products.
“It’s Schrödinger’s cannabis, right?” said Mike Feldman of Nabis, highlighting the dual classification of cannabis products. — Mona Zhang
TRAIN TROUBLES — A conflict between Amtrak and New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority could delay the rollout of new Acela trains, according to a lawsuit reflecting ongoing transit disputes between the Trump and Hochul administrations.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, seeks a judicial order for Metro-North to grant Amtrak track access, as reported by POLITICO Pro.
Amtrak claims Metro-North is obstructing train tests due to a dispute over liability for overhead power line damage attributed to an Acela train.
MTA, in response, suggested Amtrak is diverting attention from another dispute involving the expansion of commuter service to Penn Station.
The lawsuit details Acela trains previously encountering issues with MTA infrastructure near a Connecticut bridge. Similar infrastructure challenges caused significant New Jersey delays two summers ago, which were resolved, unlike this ongoing New York dispute. — Ry Rivard
IN OTHER NEWS
— BILLIONAIRE BLUES: Citadel CEO Ken Griffin hinted at reconsidering the hedge fund’s New York City expansion after Mamdani used his Manhattan penthouse in a video announcing a tax on homes over $5 million. (The Wall Street Journal)
— DELAY NOW, PAY LATER: Mamdani’s team proposed delaying pension fund payments to Hochul’s administration to save at least $1 billion amidst a budget gap. (The New York Times)
— ZONE OF INTEREST: Unions are urging Mamdani’s administration to veto a buffer zone bill restricting protests near schools, as the decision deadline approaches. (THE CITY)
Missed this morning’s New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.
