PILGRIMAGE: Leading political figures from across the nation are arriving to engage with Rev. Al Sharpton.
Today, Governors Wes Moore of Maryland, JB Pritzker of Illinois, and Senator Ruben Gallego from Arizona met with him. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro met him yesterday, and upcoming meetings include former Vice President Kamala Harris, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey.
These potential candidates for the 2028 presidential race are attending the 35th convention of Sharpton’s National Action Network, acknowledging the influence Sharpton holds in New York and nationwide.
“If you want to make headway in New York City, in any profession, you need to connect with Dr. Rev. Al Sharpton,” said Harlem Assemblymember Jordan Wright.
This week, Sharpton is enjoying the attention his status brings. This was not always the case, as former mayors Ed Koch and Rudy Giuliani once saw him as an adversary. Now, prominent political figures are eager to attend his four-day event.
“They’re attending because he commands respect from everyone in this country,” said Governor Kathy Hochul to Playbook. “He’s been a trusted adviser for years. When I learned I was becoming governor, I called him, and he said, ‘I’ll pray for you.’ I prayed for wisdom and justice.”
Sharpton’s significant influence was evident last year in New York when mayoral candidates visited his House of Justice in Harlem — soon to be relocated — to gain his support in their bids for City Hall. During that time, Sharpton praised Andrew Cuomo during the primary and criticized candidate Zohran Mamdani for not placing former Council Speaker Adrienne Adams high enough on his ranked-choice ballot.
“That kind of politics doesn’t seem progressive to me,” Sharpton commented nine days before the primary.
Nevertheless, Mamdani made his first public appearance after winning at the House of Justice, where Sharpton raised Mamdani’s hand triumphantly, as if declaring a victory in a boxing match.
Recently, Sharpton made headlines by suggesting that Harris deserves reconsideration as a presidential candidate, similar to his support for Adrienne Adams.
In a conversation Wednesday night, he clarified and defended these remarks.
“I’m not sure if she will run, but she faces a lot of sexism and racism,” Sharpton stated. “She shouldn’t be dismissed. Let her decide her path. She received more votes than any presidential candidate in history, except Donald Trump, and that should be acknowledged.” — Jason Beeferman
From the Capitol
NOTHING IS OVER: State workers earned $1.6 billion in overtime in 2025, marking a 22.7% increase from the previous year, according to a report released Thursday by Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s office.
The report comes as unions push for expanded retirement benefits in the Tier 6 pension category, which could cost state and local governments up to $1.5 billion annually.
“State agencies must carefully monitor overtime to ensure it is justified and state services are delivered safely and effectively,” the report stated. “The use of overtime can significantly impact long-term pension costs.”
Read more from POLITICO Pro’s Nick Reisman.
PARTY RAIDS: Progressives in the Hudson Valley seem to have sidestepped the usual party raiding in the area, though one Saratoga County candidate is raising questions.
It has become increasingly common for major party allies to manipulate minor party nominations. Notably, a former Republican won the 2024 Working Families Party primary in Rep. Mike Lawler’s district with the support of individuals who joined the WFP just before the deadline, splitting the left’s vote.
This situation does not appear to be occurring this year in congressional or state legislative districts. The only candidate challenging Lawler on a minor line is the WFP-backed Democrat Effie Phillips-Staley.
However, there was an unusual registration in the Saratoga-area district held by Democratic Assemblymember Carrie Woerner.
The sole candidate for the WFP line in that district is Thomas Kenny. Efforts to identify him have been unsuccessful, as no one by that name was registered to vote in the area as of January. Woerner’s campaign believes he may have been a Conservative until recently, potentially residing elsewhere.
There have been electoral peculiarities in the county previously. In 2021, several individuals linked to the Saratoga Springs Police Department changed their registration from the Republican or Conservative Parties to the WFP, triggering a primary against the Democratic supervisor.
Saratoga GOP Chair Joe Suhrada stated he was unaware of Kenny’s candidacy.
“I don’t know him and I’m not sure who he is,” Suhrada said, speculating the candidate might be a leftist. “Many people criticize the Democrats for allegedly not standing up to Trump enough… That could be the case here.” — Bill Mahoney
FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
CALLING IT QUITS: Just hours before the Democratic debate for Lawler’s seat in NY-17, tech executive and local government official Peter Chatzky withdrew from the race. Despite loaning himself $5 million, Chatzky was set to debate Army veteran Cait Conley, Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson, and Phillips-Staley.
In a statement, Chatzky criticized the Democratic party’s “machinery” and suggested that continuing his campaign would force the party establishment and his competitors to use significant resources against him, which could be better spent on defeating Mike Lawler.
Chatzky aimed to appeal to the progressive wing, a lane also targeted by WFP-backed Phillips-Staley. Last month, Phillips-Staley was the only candidate to call for Chatzky’s withdrawal following reports of his provocative online posts. Chatzky did not address these incidents in his statement, though he has discussed them in local media explaining his sense of humor. Conley and Davidson are positioning themselves more moderately.
Chatzky did not endorse any candidate upon his departure.
Five candidates remain in the race for the Democratic nomination: Conley, Davidson, Phillips-Staley, former TV reporter Mike Sacks, and Air Force veteran John Cappello. Sacks and Cappello were not invited to the debate and have largely stayed out of the spotlight. — Madison Fernandez
HOCHUL DOUBLES DOWN ON NY-21: Hochul remains confident that Rep. Elise Stefanik’s traditionally Republican seat could flip to the Democrats.
At an unrelated event, Hochul expressed optimism, citing conversations with various New Yorkers during her visits to the North Country. She believes the district could shift due to growing dissatisfaction with policies impacting farmers.
“Conservative, Republican farmers [are] telling me they are ‘had it’ with the tariffs, they are ‘had it’ with this ICE raids on their farms,” Hochul said. “I heard a lot of anger. I was reflecting on that as a place that people would not expect us to have an opportunity to win, where I believe we do. People are rejecting the policies that are driving up costs and making their lives miserable.”
Hochul told Young Democrats last month that she’s “so optimistic about our chances this year, I believe we can even take Elise Stefanik’s seat.”
Stefanik, who is not seeking reelection, won her seat in a general election by 24 points. Assemblymember Robert Smullen and Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino are running as Republicans to replace her. Democrat Blake Gendebien is running for the seat. — Jason Beeferman
IN OTHER NEWS
— CHILLING EFFECT?: According to the Rent Guidelines Board, landlord costs rose by 5.3% over the last year, potentially affecting Mamdani’s efforts to freeze rents for the city’s rent-stabilized apartments. (POLITICO Pro)
— FULL-TIME TOTS: Mamdani announces full-day, year-round care for New York City’s 2-K program with the first 2,000 seats opening this fall with extended-hours. (New York Daily News)
— NOT BRAGG, BUT…: Housing groups are advocating for new tenant harassment protections in the state budget, which would introduce criminal penalties for harassing residents of rent-stabilized apartments. (amNY)
Missed this morning’s New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.
