Nasty upstate Republican primary tests power of Trump endorsement ^44.1%

Gothamist - By Jimmy Vielkind - 6/21/2026, 12:00 PM

Appeal to Authority 21.1% - Negativity Bias 17.7% - Halo Effect 12.3%

Jim Zecca is such a supporter of Donald Trump that in 2016 he took a bus from upstate New York to New Hampshire to campaign for the then-longshot real estate developer shaking up the GOP. So, when the Republican president endorsed first-time candidate Anthony Constantino over party-backed Robert Smullen for an open congressional seat,... more

New York Democrats set stage for voter referendum to join redistricting fight ^12.7%

Gothamist - By Jimmy Vielkind - 6/2/2026, 10:56 AM

Negativity Bias 18.9% - Framing Effect 10.1% - Hasty Generalization 9.9%

New York’s ruling Democrats would be allowed to draw new congressional districts in time for the 2028 elections under a proposed amendment to the State Constitution set for a vote this week. The amendment, introduced late Monday, would also remove the state’s prohibitions on drawing districts to favor incumbents or political parties. It... more

Albany lawmakers prepare for mad dash on Trump fund, redistricting as session wraps ^19.8%

Gothamist - By Jimmy Vielkind, Jon Campbell - 5/30/2026, 5:19 PM

Negativity Bias 16.3% - Framing Effect 16.3% - Biased Writer Voice 11.1%

Entering the national redistricting wars, considering new rules for pricing goods and reviewing ticket-scalping laws are on the agenda in Albany as New York state lawmakers convene for their final week. The annual legislative session is scheduled to end Thursday, but lawmakers acknowledged it may stretch into Friday. Many members of the... more

New Yorkers: See if you're eligible for a $200 rebate check from the state ^13.8%

Gothamist - By Jimmy Vielkind - 5/27/2026, 7:15 PM

Negativity Bias 19.2% - Appeal to Emotion 16.2% - False Dilemma 8.2%

More than 8 million New Yorkers are set to get a check this year to offset rising utility costs, according to a state budget bill set for passage this week. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democrats who control the state Assembly and Senate agreed to spend $1 billion on checks of up to $200. You don't have to apply for the rebate as they’ll be... more

Why Democrats think they actually have a shot at Stefanik’s seat ^65.2%

Gothamist - By Jimmy Vielkind - 5/18/2026, 10:00 AM

Post Hoc (False Cause) 14.6% - Negativity Bias 13.4% - Unattributed Quote 11.6%

Democrats have only held a North Country congressional seat for five years since the Civil War, but a homegrown candidate, Republican infighting and President Donald Trump’s flagging popularity are giving them hope for another shot. Party officials said at the recent spring meeting of the Democratic Rural Conference that they’re adding... more

Bruce Blakeman’s legal win could unlock $3.5M for his campaign ^30.6%

Gothamist - By Jon Campbell, Jimmy Vielkind - 5/12/2026, 7:55 PM

Negativity Bias 18.2% - Biased Writer Voice 11.8% - Self-Serving Bias 10.9%

A New York state judge cleared the way for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman to receive up to $3.5 million in public matching funds that Republican leaders are hoping will provide a jolt to his campaign against Gov. Kathy Hochul. State Supreme Court Justice Denise Hartman’s ruling Tuesday marks a decisive victory for... more

Trump-backed investigations into NY AG Letitia James cost taxpayers $1.4M and counting ^46.8%

Gothamist - By Jimmy Vielkind - 5/10/2026, 12:01 PM

Appeal to Emotion 24.8% - Ambiguity (Equivocation) 17.1% - Negativity Bias 16.3%

Lobbyists, major labor unions, a co-owner of the Flatiron Building and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark all contributed to Attorney General Letitia James’ legal defense as she fended off an investigation from President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice. Documents filed by the Democratic Attorneys General Association show that the... more

NY Gov. Hochul announces $268B state budget deal, but Assembly leader says not so fast ^20.9%

Gothamist - By Jon Campbell, Samuel King, Jimmy Vielkind - 5/7/2026, 1:53 PM

Negativity Bias 18.1% - Framing Effect 11.8% - Self-Serving Bias 10.5%

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced a framework deal on a $268 billion state budget that includes money to help New York City and other municipalities close their deficits, adds limits on local police cooperating with federal immigration authorities and creates new rebate checks to help defray the cost of utility bills. What... more

Hakeem Jeffries pushes New York to join redistricting battle ^52.3%

Gothamist - By Jimmy Vielkind - 5/5/2026, 7:24 PM

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has dispatched a familiar face to enlist New York lawmakers into the national redistricting fight. U.S. Rep. Joe Morelle met with Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democratic leaders of the State Legislature during a trip to the state Capitol on Tuesday. Morelle, a Rochester Democrat who served in the state... more

Outgoing NY Rep. Stefanik keeps academia in her crosshairs with ‘Poisoned Ivies’ book ^50.4%

Gothamist - By Jimmy Vielkind - 4/23/2026, 3:00 PM

Negativity Bias 18.9% - Framing Effect 11.8% - Biased Writer Voice 11.6%

This column originally appeared in The Politics Brief, our weekly newsletter on the people, power and policies that shape New Yorkers' lives. Sign up to get the full version where you can ask questions, share news tips and weigh in on the conversation. Hits inboxes on Wednesdays. To hear U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik tell it, her viral... more