Good Morning, New York! Bill de Blasio’s staff are perfectly positioned for jobs in the Mamdani administration, Cuomo says he is staying in the race and will ask other candidates to drop out by September, and the state assembly members met to discuss plans for fixing the new budget hole, although they have not been revealed. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Monday, July 14th, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In Virginia and NYC with no events publicly scheduled yet.

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Front Pages

Hall Monitors

Andrew Cuomo isn't giving up just yet. Despite losing the Democratic primary to socialist Zohran Mamdani, the ex-governor plans to run as an independent in the NYC mayoral race and will ask other candidates to drop out of the race by mid-September if they aren't leading in the polls. Meanwhile, Mayor Eric Adams, who is also running as an independent, scoffed at the idea of making way for Cuomo, while others blasted Cuomo as a "loser" who should bow out entirely. (NY Post)

Socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is looking to Bill de Blasio's former staff to fill positions in his administration if elected. De Blasio says many from his administration would be eager to work for Mamdani. Multiple interest groups are already lining up to pitch their candidates, even those Mamdani may not agree with. (Politico)

David Paterson is claiming that his family was harassed by Zohran Mamdani supporters after he suggested that Eric Adams or Andrew Cuomo should drop out of the mayoral race. Paterson doubled down on his call to block Mamdani from City Hall, fearing his win is “an open door” with both Adams and Cuomo still running. Meanwhile, Cuomo is expected to announce this week that he is staying in the race as an independent. (NY Post)

Capitol Gains

U.S. Attorney John Sarcone III claims a panel of federal judges extended his tenure, but the judges are saying that's not true. Sarcone told WNYT he'd been notified that he'd been extended beyond his initial 120-day interim appointment, but the Board of Judges of the Northern District of New York refuted that claim. It seems Sarcone jumped the gun, and now everyone's waiting to see what happens next. (Times Union)

The New York Assembly is facing a potential $3 billion budget gap thanks to federal spending cuts. To address it, Assembly Democrats held a briefing to discuss possible solutions, like raising revenue, but a special session isn't on the books just yet. This years gap is expected to be closer to $750 million, rising to the full 3 billion next year, but that will still require adjusting the state's spending. (State of Politics)

Ray Gillen's "retirement" from his county planning commissioner role is raising eyebrows after he was immediately rehired with a significant pay cut. Gillen chalks it up to an oversight, saying the county didn't need legislative approval for his initial appointment. Despite the controversy, Gillen is staying on as chairman of the Metroplex Development Authority, but this time, he's doing it for free. The plan is reportedly designed to preserve his state pension while still allowing him to wrap up final projects. (Times Union)

Trail Mix

Gov. Hochul's campaign coffers are overflowing after raking in $11.8 million this July. With $17.5 million cash on hand for her re-election, plus another $8.8 million in party committees, Hochul's team boasts grassroots support against Trump as they aim to boost down-ballot Democrats. (Press Release)

An ex-AOC aide is urging socialist mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani to primary any Democrats who resist his $9 billion tax hike plan. Corbin Trent, who helped mastermind AOC's rise, argues that fear is a powerful political tool, and even established figures like Hakeem Jeffries shouldn't be immune. While Jeffries' team has dismissed the idea, Ritchie Torres fired back, linking Mamdani's supporters to Trump's agenda: “Strange bedfellows". (NY Post)

Could Trump be kingmaker in New York's gubernatorial primary? Rep. Mike Lawler is set to meet with the former president to discuss potentially throwing his hat in the ring. If Lawler runs, he'll likely face off against fellow Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, who's also gearing up for a campaign. However both candidates want to avoid a true primary if at all possible. (The Hill)