MTA Chairman Joe Lhota was applauded for getting the subway system up and running after Superstorm Sandy and has gotten generally good marks since taking over the embattled authority this year. But is that enough to get Lhota to City Hall on the GOP ticket?
Political analyst Erik Engquist said the MTA's planned fare hike in March could hurt Llota's standing with voters. He also said the MTA is still very unpopular among New Yorkers, that Democrats outnumber Republicans in New York 6 to 1, and that Lhota has no campaign money.
On the Democratic side, Engquist puts Comptroller John Liu and his predecessor, Bill Thompson, at the back of a crowded field. He said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio could have a fighting chance because he is smart, has good relations with labor unions, and has ties to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and the Clintons.
Many believe City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is the Democratic frontrunner despite reports that Mayor Mike Bloomberg was secretly trying to get Hillary Clinton to run. At a Tuesday news conference with Quinn by his side, Bloomberg didn't deny the Clinton report but did get annoyed when he was asked about it and praised Quinn.
Engquist said the mayor may be stopping short of endorsing Quinn right now because of what he wants to accomplish in his last year as mayor.
He said Bloomberg still needs leverage over her to pass bills he wants passed and block ones he doesn't. Plus someone better in the business community could pop up and Bloomberg would be likely to support someone the business community wants.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:42:18 GMT
Omar Morales feels lucky to be here for his son Joshua's 10th birthday on Monday. Morales was one of the passengers on board a USAir flight that made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty.
Omar Morales feels lucky to be here for his son Joshua's 10th birthday on Monday. Morales was one of the passengers on board a USAir flight that made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:28:23 GMT
After Assemblyman Vito Lopez resigned over claims of serial sexual harassment of female staffers, attention turned to whether powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver should continue his leadership.
After Assemblyman Vito Lopez resigned over claims of serial sexual harassment of female staffers, attention turned to whether powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver should continue his leadership.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:05:15 GMT
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
Monday, May 20 2013 6:30 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:30:03 GMT
Repair work on tracks that were damaged in last week's train collision has progressed quickly enough that the MTA predicts restoring full service along the New Haven line by Wednesday morning.
Repair work on tracks that were damaged in last week's train collision has progressed quickly enough that the MTA predicts restoring full service along the New Haven line by Wednesday morning.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:05:22 GMT
A spate of hate-fueled attacks on gay men in New York, including a killing in the heart of one of its most gay-friendly neighborhoods, is stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage.
A spate of hate-fueled attacks on gay men in New York, including a killing in the heart of one of its most gay-friendly neighborhoods, is stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:32:24 GMT
As a family prepared for the funeral of a Hofstra junior killed by a cop's bullet during a standoff with an armed intruder, questions remain about how police handled the situation.
As a family prepared for the funeral of a Hofstra junior killed by a cop's bullet during a standoff with an armed intruder, questions remain about how police handled the situation.
