Have the people spoken? President Biden announced today he won’t be seeking reelection. He’s been perceived for months or even years as feeble, confused and inarticulate, which were qualities confirmed last month during the Presidential Debate. Perception is reality, and now Biden isn’t seeking reelection. He endorsed VP Kamala Harris, but is that who voters want as their President? Let us now fasten our seatbelts for a crazy news cycle as we head into the Democratic Convention in Chicago next month…
In an op-ed today, City & State’s Tom Allon suggested two women take the top of the Democratic ticket for President & VP, which may give public perception that the Democratic Party is the party of women first, and women’s rights…
At the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee earlier this week, both Long Island and New York City GOPers coalesced around former President Trump, who in his 90-minute acceptance speech, spoke largely about anecdotes and less about policy issues. In the crowd was Manhattan GOP Chairwoman AJ Catsimatidis, author and activist, Jacqueline Toboroff as well as NYC Council Members Inna Vernikov, and Joe Borelli from New York City, as well as Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Brian Devine, communications director for the Town of Hempstead, America’s largest township…
Back on Long Island, Stevens Martinez, Governor Hochul’s Long Island Director & Grant Newburger from the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, bore witness to Flo Rida inviting a group of ladies onto the stage with him at UJA Summer Fest at LIU (I was amongst the lucky ladies…) Ambassador Gilad Erdan Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations addressed the crowd as well that evening, with multiple security details in tow… Rep. Tom Suozzi was spotted shaking hands at the function, while his opponent, former Assemblyman Mike LiPetri’s campaign commercial was seen playing on screens at a nail salon in Oyster Bay…
Assemblyman Kenny Burgos announced his resignation this week, with his wife Emeri due any moment now with their first child. Rumor has it that Kenny will become CEO of an organization in the coming weeks… Could it be of the newly formed New York Apartment Association, a merger that’s been pending between CHIP & RSA? The Bronx native is a moderate, pro-business Democrat that understands the complexities of the housing industry from all angles…
A lively discussion took place amongst Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre, Cops N’Kids Long Island’s Cindy O’Pharrow, and lobbyist Brad Gerstman at his Westhampton residence on Saturday regarding the relationship between the Black and Jewish communities. Consensus was that there are some difficult conversations that need to take place both intra- and inter-community in order to move us all forward, and Brad looks forward to hosting an upcoming roundtable on this issue with NYC Mayor Adams.
At the Bath & Tennis Resort in Westhampton Beach, Matthew Wigler, a student at Stanford Law School who is involved with the Stanford Democrats and the Jewish Student Association, was overheard explaining his first-hand experiences with antisemitism in the classroom on campus… specifically, professor Ameer Hassan Loggins who asked for the Jewish students in the class to put their stuff on his desk and stand in the corner, as a method of teaching colonialism. Apparently, 1,700 students – or 20% of the student body – co-signed a letter asking for his return after he was let go from teaching…
Also in Westhampton, Rabbi Schneier of The Hampton Synagogue, hosted a fireside chat with Westchester County Executive and NY-16 candidate, George Latimer, Sunday morning, just a few hours before President Joe Biden announced that he would not be seeking reelection…
Style Across the Aisle: a first-of-its-kind community engagement fashion show is coming to Gracie Mansion during Fall Fashion Week on September 10, 2024 where elected officials model the runway wearing designers from their districts. Chief Advisor to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, will be emceeing and the below political personalities will be modeling designs and creations from local designers and small businesses. Let us know if you’d like to be a part of this bipartisan, unique event that brings us together instead of divides us!
New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang, Assembly Members Landon Dais & Jenifer Rajkumar, Bronx BP Vanessa Gibson, NYC Council Members Kevin Riley, Inna Vernikov, Justin Brannan & Vickie Paladino, District Attorneys from the Bronx, Darcel Clark, and Suffolk County, Ray Tierney, and State Senator Kevin Parker
Coming Up: Style Across the Aisle, a community engagement fashion show where elected officials model the runway wearing designers from their districts. MORE INFORMATION BELOW! We have some appointed officials interested in walking: Tiffany Raspberry, director of intergovernmental affairs for NYC Mayor and Jeffrey Garcia, executive director, NYC Office of Nightlife… *And* it’s multigenerational as Ingrid’s son DJ Suave and Mayor Adams’ son, Jordan Coleman, will each be involved as performers at the event!
Political Personality of the Week
Dynishal Gross is the Acting Commissioner and Executive Deputy Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS). In her role, she oversees various programs aimed at promoting economic development and equity across New York City’s diverse business landscape.
Previously, she held the position of Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Economic and Financial Opportunity (DEFO) at SBS. In this role, she was responsible for certifying and supporting minority, women-owned, and local businesses, helping them to grow through government contracting. She also managed the City’s Division of Labor Services, ensuring compliance with equal employment opportunity and labor standards.
Dynishal has a background in public service, including five years working with the New York City Council. At SBS, she served as Assistant Commissioner for Business Programs in the Division of Business Services, focusing on initiatives for women entrepreneurs, New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents, and longstanding neighborhood businesses.
She has a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies from Cornell University, a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College, and a Juris Doctorate from Columbia University School of Law.
Fast Facts
- First-generation college graduate
- Brooklyn resident
- Has a wife and son
- Grew up on a family tobacco farm in Maryland
