Latest news with #WhitneyTilson
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mamdani's New York mayoral primary win exposes Democratic divide
Just hours after Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani declared victory in New York's mayoral primary on Wednesday, a small group of business leaders convened with Mayor Eric Adams, who bypassed the Democratic primary and is instead running in the general election as an independent. Attendees were focused on strategizing how to prevent Mamdani, a 33-year-old state assemblymember, from winning the mayoralty -- and assessing whether Adams was the strongest contender to oppose him in November. Among those present was former NYC mayoral candidate and former hedge fund executive Whitney Tilson, who recently shared a debate stage with Mamdani. Tilson described Mamdani as 'very charming and charismatic,' but added he sharply disagrees with Mamdani's policies and '[About] 5% of New York City voters picked him… It's a totally rigged closed primary.' Tilson told ABC News when it became clear the race was between two people, he had hoped former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo would win. He said he would '...continue for the next 130 days what I began in earnest 45 days ago -- to make sure Zohran Mamdani, an unqualified radical socialist, does not become mayor of our city.' Several other vexed moderate-minded Democrats, beyond the handful in the meeting with Adams, are making similar schemes, a Democratic source with knowledge of the conversations confirmed to ABC. MORE: Zohran Mamdani's upset in New York primary reignites Democratic identity debate: Analysis That source suggested that some are mulling over boosting centrist lawyer Jim Walden, who is running as an independent, as a potential spoiler. And billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman (who supported Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election) pledged to bankroll whichever viable challenger vows to take on Mamdani in November. Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, wrote that Mamdani's win was "disastrous" and that she, Ackman, and others must 'figure out a way to save New York' in response to his promise. However, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he's not aware of any progressives who are 'quaking in their boots about a particular scenario' and that serious Mamdani supporters' worries come not from threats, but 'because we should be worried of the unknown, and no one should take this general election lightly.' 'It's more than ironic that Ackman thinks he has anything left to say to anybody in the Democratic Party after his activities last few months,' de Blasio told ABC News. 'As some of these people are flailing about, they are only reminding people that Zohran's positions are going to be the majority positions in this town.' The former mayor, whom Mamdani said was the best in his lifetime, said he doesn't believe the accusations of radicalism or extremism will stick, pointing to Mamdani's strong margins from Tuesday night. 'I think the magnitude of the victory has woken up a lot of people who were buying into stereotypes -- unfair stereotypes -- of Zohran,' de Blasio said. 'You can't be extreme if such a clear majority want you. To use a New York City phrase: he's instantly been koshered." Mamdani isn't shielding himself from the incoming, either. MORE: Zohran Mamdani tells ABC News he plans to win over moderate Dems, other voters Longtime New York powerbroker Kathryn Wylde told ABC News Mamdani called her Thursday evening, and expressed interest in meeting with the CEOs whom Wylde said were 'extremely concerned' with his economic and fiscal policies. Wylde agreed -- and plans to host a meeting between Mamdani and any of the interested 300 plus executives who are members of Partnership for the City, where she serves as CEO, during the third week in July. 'The business community will not determine who is mayor. But we want whomever is mayor to have relationships and understand the issues that will keep our city strong,' Wylde said. His campaign told ABC News he's committed to meeting 'with anyone and everyone.' 'As Zohran has said throughout this campaign, he'll meet with anyone and everyone to move our city forward. Zohran's committed to delivering an administration of excellence that delivers an affordable and safe city for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected,' Mamdani campaign spokesperson Lekha Sunder said in a statement. Mark Gorton, founder of LimeWire and chairman of Tower Research Capital hedge fund, said he donated $250,000 to Cuomo's super PAC, Fix the City, after it became clear that his preferred candidate, Brad Lander, would not win the primary. However, Gorton acknowledged to ABC News he did so reluctantly. 'I was like, 'I'm tired of being on the outside -- I want to be on the inside,' he said. Still, he knew his top concerns -- support for cyclists, reducing car traffic and expanding bus service -- were not priorities for Cuomo. 'Cuomo was a disaster,' the activist, who started a non-profit focused on New York's streets nearly three decades ago, said. 'He didn't even show up at the candidate forum and drives around in a Dodge Charger.' Gorton said he felt relieved when Cuomo lost, noting that both Mamdani and Lander are strong on the issues he cares about. If November's election were held today, he said, he would vote for Mamdani. When asked whether he would contribute to Mamdani's campaign, Gorton hesitated. 'He doesn't need my money. Money doesn't always make a difference," he said. MORE: Mamdani declares victory, Cuomo concedes before ranked choice votes are counted Some Democrats in New York's Congressional delegation are distancing themselves from Mamdani. Speaking on WNYC's "The Brian Lehrer Show" on Thursday Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand declined to say who she would endorse. When pressed, she said: 'I vote in Albany,' and will leave the decision to New York City voters. Rep. Tom Suozzi, who represents a Long Island swing-district that includes some parts of Queens, posted on X that he continues to have 'serious concerns' about Mamdani. Yet some of the highest ranking of the delegation seem open to Mamdani. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, both of New York, praised Mamdani after his apparent primary win. Showing particular support for his campaign's focus on affordability, both vowed to meet with him. Rep. Gregory Meeks, (D-NY), also told ABC News he was looking to speak with the presumptive nominee. Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), the most senior Jewish member of the House of Representatives, went even further. After backing one of Mamdani's challengers during the primary, Nadler has since endorsed Mamdani's general election bid. And former president Bill Clinton, who backed Cuomo, wrote on X that he is 'wishing [Mamdani] much success in November and beyond as you look to bring New Yorkers together.' Veteran Democratic strategist Lis Smith, who once worked for Cuomo and is now a critic, told ABC News centrist Democrats are partially to blame for the former governor's loss and suggested they look in the mirror. 'It is baffling that they decided to cast their lot with a disgraced former governor who was run out of office and had no new ideas or inspirational message to offer New Yorkers. Spare us the freak out,' said Smith. 'This just seems like the last gasp of the establishment and the affiliated billionaires trying to stop a grassroots moment that, frankly, they helped fuel.'
New York Post
22-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Democratic mayoral race didn't even TOUCH on fixing the public schools
If there's one thing the Democratic candidates for mayor don't want to talk about, it's getting better results out of the city's public schools. Even though the Department of Education, now burning more than $40 billion a year and over $33,000 per student, is easily the biggest item in the city budget and still growing even though enrollment is declining. To be fair, one candidate did want to talk about the schools, but hedge-fund exec and philanthropist Whitney Tilson never got traction, perhaps because he alone refused to kow-tow to the United Federation of Teachers. Otherwise, 'I give the mayoral candidates a D or an F grade across the board,' said Ray Domanico, co-author of a damning Manhattan Institute report on education in the mayoral race. Of course, most of the field are die-hard progressives who'll never question the anti-excellence 'equity' agenda, nor cross the self-serving UFT. The worst of them, Zohran Mamdani, actually calls for ending mayoral control of the DOE and so guaranteeing that voters can't hold anyone accountable for failing schools. This, when just 33% of the city's fourth graders scored proficient in math last year and 28% in reading, numbers that don't get any better in the higher grades. Supposedly less-radical Andrew Cuomo did try to stand up to the teachers unions as governor, but got his hat handed to him. He's since publicly denounced his own past positions and even embraced a core priority of the mayor he once held in utter contempt, calling to ramp up Bill de Blasio's 'community schools' initiative. In all, Cuomo's education platform panders shamelessly to the UFT and its hatred of charter schools — the only part of the public-school system that offers real educational opportunity in most of the city. No one in the race dares call for a return to Bloomberg-era policies: expanding charters while opening more good regular public schools and doing top-down reorganization of failed ones. Nor will they breathe a word about chronic absenteeism, a huge post-COVID problem. More than a third, 34.8%, of Gotham students — about 300,000 public school kids —missed at least 10% of the 180-day school year in 2024, up from 26.5% in 2019. That's a disaster, but the candidates won't even talk about it Maybe the fall campaign will see candidates talking about doing better for New York's kids, but it's beyond damning that the topic is taboo in today's Democratic Party.
New York Post
18-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
NYC Democratic mayoral candidates receive failing education grade from Education Agenda for New York City's Mayor
When it comes to education, the Democratic candidates for mayor deserve a dunce cap and a failing grade, according to a new research study. A new Manhattan Institute report — dubbed an 'Education Agenda for New York City's Mayor' — recommends reviving policies from the Mike Blomberg era: championing the expansion of charter schools, increasing merit-based schools, closing and consolidating low-performing and under-enrolled schools, and implementing accountability measures such as publishing A to F report cards rating each school's performance. It also calls for scaling back the costly class size reduction law, which will drive up the city Department of Education's $40 billion-plus budget — already $33,000 per student — while enrollment is 12% lower than pre-pandemic 2019. 3 Former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo shakes hands with mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani next to Whitney Tilson after the Democratic mayoral primary debate on June 4, 2025. YUKI IWAMURA/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock But none of the top-tier Democratic candidates for mayor are promoting or talking about most of these measures, said Ray Domanico, co-author of the report provided to The Post on Wednesday. 'I give the mayoral candidates a D or an F grade across the board,' said Domanico, who wrote the report with fellow researcher Danyela Egorov. He said the exception was Democratic candidate Whitney Tilson, the hedge fund executive who has embraced many of the ideas in the new report, particularly promoting school choice and accountability and overhauling the class size reduction law. But Tilson is barely registering in the polls. 'Under Bloomberg, education improved considerably, particularly for low income students and students in communities of color. It's very disappointing that no one wants to accept the undeniable success,' said Damonico, the former director of education research at the city's Independent Budget Office The emergence of charter schools is 'the biggest educational improvement in the last quarter century,' Damonico added. 3 Democratic mayoral candidates Adrienne Adams, Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Zellnor Myrie, Andrew Cuomo, Whitney Tilson, Zohran Mamdani, Michael Blake and Scott Stringer take the stage before the primary debate on June 4, 2025. via REUTERS About 150,000 or 15% of all NYC public school students attend 281 charter schools across the five boroughs. Students in charters — publicly funded, mostly non-union, privately managed schools — typically outperform their counterparts in traditional public schools. But none of the top-tier candidates are urging the state Legislature to lift the cap on charter schools that can open in New York City, not even ex-Gov. and front-runner Andrew Cuomo, who championed charter schools while in the statehouse. Cuomo instead recommends ramping up 'community schools' with wraparound services, a favorite program of the teachers' union, which Damonico called a bust under former Mayor Bill de Blasio. Meanwhile, mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's education plan calls for scrapping the mayor's authority to oversee the Department of Education and set school policy, which critics say weakens accountability in the school system. Bloomberg's tenure as mayor from 2002 to 2013 promoted policy changes that emphasized accountability for school performance, support for innovation in both traditional public schools and charter schools sectors, and expanded choice of schools for all students. 'Unfortunately, the success of that reform was deliberately undone during Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration,' the report said. De Blasio fought the expansion of charter schools and eliminated A-to-F school report cards. 'For the last 12 years, New York City's schools have been on the wrong path, thanks to legislative and executive actions in City Hall and in the state capital,' Egorov and Damonico said in the report. 3 Former NYC Gov. Andrew Cuomo shakes hands with former hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson on the debate stage. YUKI IWAMURA/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The authors, however, praised current Mayor Eric Adams for implementing a phonics-based science of reading curriculum — New York Reads — but little else. There are too many schools with low enrollment that have to be closed or merged with another — 22 schools have fewer than 150 students and 43 have between 151 and 200, the report said. 'It's unusual to have a school system that loses students, can't teach our kids and keeps getting more money,' said co-author Egorov, a policy Fellow at 50 CAN, an educational advocacy group and and a parent who is secretary of Community Education Council 2 in Manhattan. Recent scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress — known as the nation's report card — showed just 33% of fourth graders were deemed 'proficient' in math, and 28% in reading — below the state and national average. Just 23% of eighth graders were proficient in math, and 29% in reading. The report recommends increasing seats in merit-based or admissions-based middle schools and high schools — such as Stuyvesant and Bronx School — to attract and retain students in the school system, as well as offer more career-based schools that would connect kids to jobs immediately upon graduation. In conclusion, the authors argued that the next mayor should push the state Legislature to remove the cap on charter schools, scrap or rework the class size reduction law, reduce the number of members of the Panel for Educational Policy to make it more accountable to the mayor and right-size the unwieldy 32 community school district system.
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
NYC Democratic mayoral candidates jump on opportunity to question Andrew Cuomo
The candidates in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary all tried to stand out Thursday night their final debate before the election. It was a high octane night with many candidates again focusing on former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who remains at the top of the polls. Cuomo, Mamdani trade criticisms When given an opportunity to question Cuomo, his opponents took their best shots. "Andrew Cuomo, you have received millions of dollars in funding from the very billionaires who put Donald Trump back into office. Will you now look at the camera and tell your Super PAC to return those millions of dollars?" Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani said. "I know you don't understand the law, but it would be illegal for me to direct an independent expenditure committee," Cuomo said. Cuomo tried to return the favor by asking Whitney Tilson, a former hedge fund manager, to critique Mamdani's pledge for free buses, a rent freeze and other goodies paid for by a "Tax the Rich" plan that he says would raise taxes no more than in New Jersey. "If his plan were implemented would result in New York City businesses paying double the tax rate of New Jersey, triple that of Connecticut, five times that of Florida, which would lead to an exodus of businesses and jobs," Tilson said. Mamdani's position on Israel also became a flashpoint. He calls the war in Gaza genocide, and while he supports Israel's right to exist, he will not say it should exist as a Jewish state. "I'm not Mr. Mamdani. I'm not antisemitic. I'm not divisive. I didn't say I would boycott Israel," Cuomo said. "We should be selling unity, not the division that this man is spreading." "The reason he doesn't have a message for Muslim New Yorkers is because he has nothing to say to us," Mamdani said. Lander takes shots over Cuomo's sexual harassment allegations Brad Lander took shots at Cuomo over the sexual harassment charges that were leveled against him. "Everybody here knows that you sexually harassed women," Lander said. "Those are just boldfaced lies, and you know it," Cuomo said. "You admitted it at the time," Lander said. "And frankly, it's frightening that you can look at a camera and lie that easily," Cuomo said. Age and experience also became an issue. The moderators pointed out that if he is elected, Cuomo would be 76 if he completed two terms, and that Mamdani would be the youngest mayor ever at 33. Cuomo took shots at Mamdani for being an assemblyman for only four years with a staff of five. "To put a person in this seat at this time with no experience is reckless and dangerous," Cuomo said. He also took shots at Lander's work of comptroller as a qualifier to be mayor. "This was the fiscal watchdog under the Eric Adams administration, which was like the bookkeeper at Tammany Hall," Cuomo said. "I've gotten so many Eric Adams contracts canceled, we can't keep track," Lander responded. Early voting starts Saturday and Election Day is June 24. The election will employ ranked choice voting.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Readers sound off on officials' cooperation, ICE agents and the Knicks' coach
Brooklyn: As a Democratic voter who has yet to feel a real spark of excitement about any mayoral candidate, I read with interest 'Mamdani: From 'Who?' to No. 2' (June 1). While I agree in principle with democratic-socialist ideas such as taxing the rich to provide services like free child care, I just don't see Albany getting behind them (and I don't know how any New Yorker can think that a NYC household earning $1 million a year qualifies as 'rich' given the cost of living!) At this time, when social services, environmental protections and immigrant rights are under attack by the federal government, we need a mayor who will band together with the governor to fight back as a united front. That said, this concern applies to frontrunner Andrew Cuomo even more than Zohran Mamdani (photo). Cuomo had a frosty relationship with Gov. Hochul when she was his lieutenant governor, and he clearly resents that he was forced to resign and she got his job. Given his reputation as an alpha-male bully, a Cuomo mayoralty could well be plagued by power struggles between NYC and Albany, distracting our state and city from the real issues we face on the President Trump front and elsewhere. Perhaps we should start taking a closer look at the mayoral candidates still stuck in low-polling 'who?' limbo, as they may have a better shot at cultivating a constructive relationship with Hochul. Katherine Raymond Staten Island: I find myself in agreement with most of the issues Whitney Tilson is raising in the Democratic mayoral primary. However, I have never seen one commercial or received any mailing advertisements about him. The only article I read was in your paper. I think that he needs to let more people know what he stands for. When I mentioned his name to others, they all responded the same way: 'Who is she'? Phyllis O'Callaghan Manhattan: No thanks to Voicer Gene O'Brien, who knocked the Democratic candidates for mayor without offering any solution about who deserves our vote. Your advice, sir, is about as worthless as giving medicine to the dead. Thanks for nothing. Richard Simon Jersey City: Father's Day is a day dedicated to acknowledging, appreciating and celebrating the multifaceted role of fathers in our lives and in society. It is a time to reflect on the impact fathers have made to their families. This might mean remembering his sagacious guidance, unwavering support or the sacrifices he made to provide for his family. Indeed, the word 'father' has real meaning. Unfortunately, there are far too many men who fail to comprehend the enormous responsibilities that come with fatherhood. To them, I strongly recommend they use a contraceptive. There are far too many neglected and unwanted children in the world, and we don't need these men who are not mature enough to accept the role of father adding to those numbers. Kamala Jasmine Patel Effort, Pa.: Every day, ICE is locking up undocumented people, even when they show up for court. When will we see the owners of the businesses that profit from hiring undocumented labor paraded through cities in handcuffs? Kathleen Slattery Staten Island: I pledge to interfere with ICE stormtroopers persecuting helpless people. I do not recognize their authority over me or over anyone. I know that I may get killed doing this, but I will be satisfied to be one of the first people killed in our second American Civil War to reestablish our free U.S.A. constitutional democratic republic, which has been attacked and occupied by MAGA maggot domestic enemies. Gary Perl Bayside: I wonder if ICE agents hide their faces behind masks because they are ashamed of what they do. Alex S. Avitabile White Plains, N.Y.: When the economy looks good, President Trump says it's his economy. When the economy takes a downturn, Trump says it's Joe Biden's economy. Now Trump claims it's Biden's fault that the Boulder, Colo., attacker was in the country and not deported. The fact is that he was in the country on a legal work permit that expired on March 28, under Trump's tenure. It is Trump's fault that he was still in the country after his permit expired and not deported by his stormtroopers, also known as ICE. Steve Howe Brooklyn: A few weeks ago, Trump called Elon Musk a 'great patriot.' Now he claims Musk is angry because Tesla and electric vehicles have taken a hit. Musk was never a great patriot. He was always in it for himself — for money, for power and for his brand. The guy voted for Barack Obama twice, and then he's Trump's right-hand man?! Zero integrity. Peter Magnotta Manhattan: If we put Sean 'Diddy' Combs, R. Kelly, Trump and Musk in a cage match, the pay-per-view proceeds would more than eliminate the U.S. national debt. Susan Kain Ashburn, Va.: Republicans are having second thoughts about their prospects in the 2026 midterm elections, and they're watching closely to see what happens this November in Virginia. Nov. 4 of this year will be the day millions of Virginians will decide who will be their next governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, as well as General Assembly delegates. Republicans are viewing the election as the proverbial canary in the coal mine, possibly presaging the results in the major congressional races in 2026 if enough red-state voters realize that Trump's policies are failing. Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw encouraged us to reevaluate our positions when necessary: 'Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.' Mike Barrett Forest Hills: A Voicer recently asked if Trump keeps dumping on Harvard University because they didn't accept him. No! It's because they didn't accept his son Barron. He's such a petty tyrant! Dori Strassman Raleigh, N.C.: If all Christians knew about what Jesus taught his followers, could they not condemn abortion or not be true Christians? Jews and Muslims believe that Jesus is a holy person but do not believe all that he taught, yet believe many of his teachings. The Catholic Church may have been the one group that turned the election because they became more vocal. Joseph J. Rothengast Bronx: After nearly two decades of misery and losses, the Knicks finally found the road to success under the stable and consistent guidance of Tom Thibodeau. To most Knick fans, it appeared that the team at last had found its own version of the Warriors' Steve Kerr or the Spurs' Greg Popovich. But no — as always, Knicks ownership found a way to mess things up! I guess winning 50 games or more for two seasons in a row, making the playoffs four out of the past five seasons and competing in the NBA Eastern Conference finals wasn't enough to satisfy team owner Jim Dolan. This guy is perhaps the worst team owner, not only in the NBA, but in all of professional sports. What this team needs is not a new coach, but a new owner. Carlos B. Martinez Bronx: I am a substitute teacher with the NYC Department of Education. I had the opportunity recently to spend time outside with the students. I told some of them that when I was a kid, we played neighborhood-wide tag on our bikes. One fourth-grader told me that that was good because we were helping the environment and getting exercise. I told him we were just playing and having fun. When did play become a lesson? Kathleen Hughes St. Albans: To Voicer Richard Warren: What is 'simply' forced sex? Please define 'run-of-the-mill rape.' Those terms diminish the severity of the assault, along with the physical and mental trauma suffered by the victim. I believe that a rapist can be reformed, however, the penalty should be determined by a judge and jury. Stephanie Revander
