With assistance from Amira McKee
Mary Jobaida: The Progressive Hopeful Eyeing an Assembly Seat
Mary Jobaida, a Bangladeshi immigrant and mother of three, is setting her sights on becoming the latest addition to the state Legislature. Her ambition is closely tied to the potential vacancy of the Assembly seat currently held by Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, who, if elected, will call Gracie Mansion his new home.
Jobaida, a proud member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has a bold platform. She aims to confront ICE, push for free education at CUNY and SUNY, provide free pre-K and public transportation, and even decriminalize food theft for those in dire need. “It’s a waste of resources to arrest someone for stealing food,” she argues, emphasizing the impracticality of such actions.
In an almost divine twist of fate, Jobaida claims that her candidacy was orchestrated by God. “I never intended to run against Zohran because we need progressive leaders,” she stated, referencing the district’s redrawn lines that conveniently included her residence two years ago.
However, the Queens Democratic Party may have a different vision. Should Mamdani win the mayoralty and take office on January 1, a special election will be necessitated by Governor Kathy Hochul by January 11, likely placing it in mid- to late-February. This scenario could pave the way for a more moderate candidate to emerge, as the Democratic, Republican, and potentially the Working Families Party gear up for their selections.
Jobaida is already in campaign mode, reaching out to donors, canvassing, and rallying volunteers for her cause. As one of the first candidates to rise from the recent leftist surge in the city, she has set up a campaign website and plans to officially announce her candidacy later this month.
In related news, Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas has declared her intention to primary state Sen. Jessica Ramos, while Mamdani organizer Mahtab Khan has registered to challenge Queens Assemblymember David Weprin.
Discussions regarding Mamdani’s seat are anticipated to intensify during the SOMOS conference in Puerto Rico, where political figures convene to network while sipping rum shortly after the general election.
The Working Families Party has yet to indicate whether it will endorse a candidate like Jobaida for its ballot line. Meanwhile, the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America plans to host several forums this fall to evaluate interested candidates before their endorsement vote.
Interestingly, Jobaida has yet to reach out to Mamdani, but she intends to do so “very soon.” At around 45 years old, Jobaida has a compelling backstory. She arrived in the U.S. shortly after 9/11 from a rural Bangladeshi village that never recorded her birthdate. She navigated her educational journey from community college to NYU on a scholarship and began her political career working on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in 2007.
Having previously challenged incumbent Kathy Nolan in Queens’ 37th Assembly District and losing by a narrow margin of 1,500 votes, Jobaida felt compelled to run again after community leaders encouraged her to seize the moment following Mamdani’s primary victory.
“I’m confident I will win this special election,” she told Playbook. “If it’s a special election, it’s sealed. I believe it will be a piece of cake.”
Despite her critiques of the nation’s criminal justice system and its treatment of marginalized communities, Jobaida is grateful for the welcome she received in the U.S. “We are in a tough moment as a country and community,” she remarked, referencing recent violent incidents and the ongoing immigration crisis. “It’s akin to the pain of labor before childbirth; we are experiencing significant struggles now, but I am hopeful for a brighter America ahead.” — Jason Beeferman
Housing Numbers: A Closer Look at Mayor Adams’ Claims
In a recent press conference in Brooklyn, Mayor Eric Adams unveiled a staggering figure: 426,800. This is the total number of housing units his administration claims to have created, preserved, or planned during his tenure.
For those New Yorkers grappling with the reality of skyrocketing rents and housing shortages, the word “planned” may ring alarm bells. Nearly half of those units are projections from rezonings, many of which are still pending approval. This includes the anticipated outcomes from Adams’ ambitious City of Yes plan and other neighborhood initiatives, like the proposed rezoning of Long Island City.
Many of these initiatives hinge on the unpredictable nature of the real estate market, which is often influenced by factors beyond the city’s control. “Everything we do is dependent on the broader real estate climate,” noted Kim Darga, deputy commissioner for development at HPD, during the briefing.
Despite the caveats, Adams proudly labeled his administration as the “most pro-housing” in New York City history, claiming that the total exceeds the housing achievements of his predecessors. — Janaki Chadha
Cannabis Licensing Chaos: Hochul Takes Action
Governor Kathy Hochul has expressed support for cannabis businesses that were erroneously granted licenses by the state, acknowledging the situation as a “major screw-up.” During a recent press interaction, she stated, “When I found out about it, I was angry, to say the least.”
A staggering 150 businesses were found to have licenses for locations that violate state regulations regarding proximity to schools. Hochul considered issuing an executive order to rectify the issue but ultimately concluded that a legal change would be a more effective solution. She pointed fingers at the previous leadership of the Office of Cannabis Management for the blunder.
“I will protect these businesses,” she pledged, while emphasizing the need for legislative changes to resolve the problem. State lawmakers, including prominent Democrats like Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger, have shown willingness to amend the law to allow these retailers to remain operational.
In response to reports suggesting the state was aware of the issue for weeks before notifying business owners, the Office of Cannabis Management downplayed the claims, asserting that they had informed affected applicants swiftly after confirming the extent of the problem. They further clarified that as long as businesses renew their applications correctly, they can continue operating until legislative changes are enacted. — Nick Reisman and Jason Beeferman
Congressional Access Denied: The ICE Oversight Battle
The Trump administration has responded to a lawsuit filed by House Democrats, who were blocked from inspecting migrant detention facilities, by emphasizing the need for advance notice for visits. However, lawmakers from New York have demanded access, both announced and unannounced. Rep. Dan Goldman’s request for an appointment in June was met with refusal, despite his team citing their oversight authority regarding federal detention facilities.
The lawsuit, which includes Goldman and Adriano Espaillat as plaintiffs, challenges new Department of Homeland Security guidelines that require seven days’ notice for visits. Goldman’s team had emailed ICE staff nine days prior to their intended visit, yet they were still denied entry under the claim that the facility in question was for processing, not detention.
“These members of Congress could have just scheduled a tour,” remarked DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, suggesting that the lawmakers’ insistence on surprise visits is merely political theater rather than genuine oversight.
Goldman, Espaillat, Nadler, and Rep. Nydia Velázquez have raised concerns about the conditions in which migrants are held, referencing reports and videos that reveal unsafe circumstances. They are determined to leverage every means necessary to shed light on the treatment of migrants, especially as the Trump administration amplifies its deportation agenda. — Emily Ngo
Legal Loopholes: The Case of Erden Arkan
In a surprising turn of events, Turkish construction executive Erden Arkan is seeking only a year of probation following his guilty plea in a case involving illegal campaign contributions to Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign. His attorney contends that Arkan had no coordination with the Turkish government, despite the prosecution’s allegations.
Arkan, co-founder of KSK Construction Group, pleaded guilty earlier this year and is now facing a recommendation from the federal probation office for a mere year of probation instead of prison time. His lawyer argues that Arkan’s decision to utilize straw donors was not a coordinated effort with Turkish officials, but rather a desperate pivot after failing to secure donations legally.
“Fearing embarrassment from the approaching fundraiser, Erden opted for a new approach,” his lawyer explained. The defense further claims that federal prosecutors are utilizing Arkan to target Adams, suggesting that now that Adams’ case has been dropped, Arkan should also be released from prosecution.
A spokesperson for the Southern District of New York has yet to comment on the situation. — Jeff Coltin
— FORGED SIGNATURES: Mayor Eric Adams’ reelection campaign has reportedly submitted fake petition signatures in a bid to secure a spot on the November ballot as an independent candidate. (Gothamist)
— TALL ORDER: The Department of Education has approved nearly $750,000 in catering expenses at a single Brooklyn restaurant for fiscal year 2025. (amNewYork)
— HEALTH CUTS: Federal cuts to Medicaid funding may exacerbate New York’s nursing shortage. (City & State)
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