The race to be the Democratic mayoral nominee in New York City is in the rear view mirror, so Shontell Smith is making good on her promise this spring to peel back the curtain on her work for Andrew Cuomo's unsuccesful primary bid.

In the second part of our conversation, the Tusk Strategies partner reveals that progressives wanted to work behind the scenes for the former governor, reflects on the mayoral campaigns of Brad Lander and Zellnor Myrie, defends Cuomo talking points on the pandemic, and identifies some of her favorite political analysts on Twitter.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

Instagram: @CapitolPressroom

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#ZohranMamdani #NYCMayor #NewYorkPolitics #AndrewCuomo

The race to be the Democratic mayoral nominee in New York City is in the rear view mirror, so Shontell Smith is making good on her promise this spring to peel back the curtain on her work for Andrew Cuomo's unsuccesful primary bid.

The Tusk Strategies partner explains what she did as political director for the Cuomo campaign, addresses possible missteps by the team, and discusses what was going on with state senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos.

We'll have more in part two!

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

Instagram: @CapitolPressroom

Twitter: @CapPressRoom

#ZohranMamdani #NYCMayor #NewYorkPolitics #AndrewCuomo

Assemblyman Pat Burke thinks everyone needs to calm down about his Queens colleague, who may be the next mayor of New York City.

The western New York Democrat is responding to what he feels are misplaced fears about Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani's personal beliefs and agenda, as well as the Democratic politicians falling all over themselves to denounce or embrace the movement launched in New York City.

Burke explains all of this and his expectations for a Mamdani mayoral agenda in Albany.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

Instagram: @CapitolPressroom

Twitter: @CapPressRoom

#ZohranMamdani #NYCMayor #NewYorkPolitics

After more than a decade of working for other people, political pollster Adam Carlson is ready to work for himself and has launched a new polling and research firm. He joins the show to discuss his business model and how he hopes to drum up business, before wading into the New York City mayoral polling, Gov. Kathy Hochul's reluctance to embrace Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, and his incessant tweeting.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

A commanding victory in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary this summer by Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist from Queens, raises new possibilities and challenges for the New York City Democratic Socialists of America.

We discuss the NYC DSA's role in uplifting Mamdani's campaign and how they'll support his agenda moving forward with NYC DSA co-Chair Grace Mauser and Assemblymember Pharra Soufrant Forrest, a Brooklyn Democrat and member of the DSA.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast.

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Politicians on both sides of the aisle talk about their support for families, so why is it so hard to get major policy and spending initiatives enacted in Planet Albany that demonstrably improve their lives?

Universal child care is still years away at best. The effort to reduce child poverty in half is going in slow motion. And the health care system is in need of an overhaul.

We explore what it's like to lobby on some of these key issues with Jenn O'Connor, founder of Jenn O'Connor Consulting, who has worked in the state legislature and for nonprofit advocacy groups.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast.

We're drafting again at the urging of Assembly members Josh Jensen and Ed Ra.

The Assembly Republicans join Dan Clark, author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter, Raga Justin, a Capitol reporter for the Times Union, and David Lombardo, the host with most, to pick Planet Albany's best dressed, funniest, and best talker, as well as the Capitol reporter who would make the best state lawmaker.

Don't forget to vote on the winner!

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Vote - https://us13.list-manage.com/survey?u=e19f4c300e1ee0fb8462cb67b&id=514e75233a&attribution=false

We're handing out "The Dispatches" awards for the 2025 legislative session!

Host David Lombardo, Times Union Capitol reporter Raga Justin, and Capitol Confidential author Dan Clark recognize the environmental movement, smartphone restrictions in school, Medical Aid in Dying, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, "affordability," Sen. James Skoufis and many more at this prestigious event.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please consider becoming a recurring contributor to help keep the podcast alive.

The lobbying restrictions were off Shontell Smith this past legislative session, so we talked with the Tusk Strategies partner about her efforts this year to move bills through the state Assembly and Senate.

We discuss a controversial measure paving the way to a casino in Queens, the stress of last-minute bill amendments, asking for meetings with state lawmakers, and reflect on how difficult it is to get legislation across the finish line at the Capitol.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please consider becoming a recurring contributor to help keep the podcast alive.

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado has embarked on a longshot bid to be the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in 2026, so we wanted to explore what the path looks like to beating Gov. Kathy Hochul next June.

Mapping out this course is Rebecca Garrard, co-executive director of Citizen Action of New York, which is playing footsie with Delgado. In the second part of our conversation we touch on the role of the Working Families Party in a Democratic gubernatorial primary, the implications of a multi-candidate field, and Delgado's messaging skills.

In the first part of our conversation we touch on the benefits of a "tax the rich" message, the importance of fundraising, boosting name recognition, and what lessons should be learned from Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please consider becoming a recurring contributor to help keep the podcast alive.