By Emily Ngo, Nick Reisman and Jeff Coltin

With Timmy Facciola

Programming Note: New York Playbook will be off beginning Monday. We’ll be back in your inboxes on Jan. 6. Happy holidays!

Rep. Adriano Espaillat is a kingmaker among Latino Democrats. | Francis Chung/POLITICO

Rep. Adriano Espaillat made a pointed and personal plea just days before last month’s election.

“A message to Latino men from us men: It’s not strong to disparage our women, it’s not strong to pick on those who need help,” the Democrat said in heavily Hispanic East Harlem. “In fact, it is weak to do all of those things. So to Latino men: Don’t be bamboozled by this guy.”

And yet, Donald Trump went on to secure a return to the White House with a bump in support from Latino men, including in Espaillat’s backyard.

One of the most pronounced shifts in support for Trump was among Dominican New Yorkers, according to John Mollenkopf, director of the Center for Urban Research at the CUNY Graduate Center. And several election districts in the Bronx and Washington Heights portions of Espaillat’s district are now “leaning GOP” — with Trump winning 37 to 55 percent of the vote — compared to 2020 when there were no “leaning GOP” election districts, according to data from Steven Romalewski, director of the CUNY Mapping Service.

Espaillat, a kingmaker among Latino Democrats, cited a messaging challenge for his party that requires a “deep dive.” But he sought to stress that voters split their ballots, overwhelmingly backing some down-ticket Dems even if they also voted for Trump.

“I can say that I got 84 percent of the votes, … which means that a bunch of the people that resonated to him also resonated to what I had to say,” Espaillat told Playbook in an interview.

City Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, whose district includes Washington Heights, said she believes Trump supporters “were voting for a personality, something they see on TV that is talking to them in a way that may make sense for some of the ideological and cultural things that exist in the Dominican community.”

The Democrat said some of her party’s more publicized priorities — such as abortion access and LGBTQ+ rights — didn’t resonate with voters from religiously conservative communities.

And there was, of course, lower voter turnout and what she and other left-leaning Democrats have argued is a de-emphasis from the top of their party on working-class Americans’ struggles.

“That’s a conversation that we need to own because we are the party that is doing the most for poor, working-class people in the same way that the Republican Party, all of a sudden, owns the conversation about values,” De La Rosa told Playbook in an interview.

Espaillat, the incoming chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, has an unexpected approach for jump-starting that conversation: appealing to the women in Latino men’s lives.

“There’s a term, ‘daddy’s girls,’” he told Playbook. “I think that that relationship is one that opens us to being more sensitive to the needs of women. … I think we need to be smart as to how we present the values of our party that I think are very consistent with the relationship between a Latino father and his daughter.” — Emily Ngo

HAPPY FRIDAY. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.

WHERE’S KATHY? In New York City and Albany.

WHERE’S ERIC? Delivering an update on programs created to support working-class New Yorkers, attending the 10th-anniversary memorial service of NYPD Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael L. Ramos, and later appearing on PIX 11’s “PIX on Politics.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  “This is true.” — Rep. Marc Molinaro after he was seen breaking the gavel while presiding over a raucous House floor vote. He’s apparently going out with a bang.

A message from Uber:

Study Reveals Uber Drivers Make More than EMTs: NYC Uber drivers now earn an average of $52,900 annually after expenses, outpacing the salaries of many essential city employees, including EMTs and sanitation workers. Despite delivering vital services, these workers struggle with stagnant wages while Uber drivers have benefited from five TLC-mandated pay hikes since 2020. Read more on the wage disparity impacting NYC’s workforce. Learn More.

The defamation claims against Charlotte Bennett — laid out in a filing made public Thursday morning — underscore how former Gov. Andrew Cuomo believes he can wrestle back a narrative. | Francis Chung/POLITICO

CUOMO’S NEW SUIT: A pending defamation suit by ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo against former aide Charlotte Bennett could lead to the release of records he and his legal team have long asserted could cast doubt on sexual harassment accusations against him.

Cuomo, who has been contemplating a political comeback for more than a year, has sought discovery in the lawsuits filed against him — a search for information that victim advocates have called invasive, but a process his attorneys believe is necessary in his defense.

Bennett was among the first women to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment months before he resigned, a fall from power that came after he emerged as a national political celebrity during the pandemic.

The defamation claims against Bennett — laid out in a filing made public Thursday morning — underscore how Cuomo believes he can wrestle back a narrative.

“Bennett’s false allegations materially contributed to a cascade of harm to Governor Cuomo,” the filing states. “Among other things, the false accusations she publicized in the national media were a significant factor in calls for an investigation into Governor Cuomo’s conduct.”

Cuomo resigned in 2021 weeks after a report released by state Attorney General Letitia James’ office determined he sexually harassed 11 women, which he has denied.

Bennett’s attorney Debra Katz called Cuomo’s claims in the filing “without merit.”

“There is a long history of using defamation lawsuits to silence and punish accusers of sexual harassment,” Katz said. “It is shameful that Mr. Cuomo has apparently now chosen to go down that path.”

Some state lawmakers have proposed measures that would make it harder for people accused of sexual harassment to file defamation cases.

One bill, backed by Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, is meant to protect victims of employment discrimination in libel or defamation cases.

A separate bill backed by Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas and Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal has a similar goal and would exempt “communications with factual information” related to sexual harassment, sexual assault or discrimination as legally privileged and protected from defamation liability.

Victoria Burke, a California-based attorney who helped draft the legislation sponsored by González-Rojas and Hoylman-Sigal, said defamation cases can have a chilling effect.

“Why would you come forward if you knew you were going to be sued for years?” Burke told Playbook. “Silence is more affordable.”

Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said in a statement that “there’s been a disconnect between the politics and the facts” since the start.

“The courts have been helpful separating them out — which is why Ms. Bennett dropped her suit on the eve of being confronted with the facts, and we’re hopeful the courts will continue to do so going forward,” he said. — Nick Reisman

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Ingrid Lewis-Martin gave up a career as a teacher and dance instructor to become Eric Adams’ chief of staff. | Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

LIFE WITHOUT INGRID: When the Manhattan district attorney indicted Ingrid Lewis-Martin on Thursday on corruption charges, he did more than deprive Mayor Eric Adams of a trusted aide.

The case against Lewis-Martin, which precipitated her resignation Sunday, marked a profound loss and turning point for Adams that strikes at the foundation of how he approaches government and politics.

Indeed, he has never known either without her at his side.

Adams and Lewis-Martin met in 1984 through her husband, who attended the same police academy class as Adams before the future mayor went on to become an outspoken captain adept at generating headlines.

To parlay that experience into a political career, he tapped Lewis-Martin to help him with successful campaigns for state Senate and Brooklyn borough president.

But she was more than just a campaign adviser.

Lewis-Martin gave up a career as a teacher and dance instructor to become Adams’ chief of staff and then his deputy borough president. In the process, she became his most trusted adviser who, as an ordained chaplain, kept him grounded to his base of moderate, working-class and largely religious Black residents in Brooklyn and Queens.

In City Hall, Lewis-Martin had a nebulous portfolio. She jumped into negotiations with major unions. As an unabashed car culture warrior, she quashed street redesigns. And while she clashed with other figures like former First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, she never lost the support of the mayor.

“She's not only been constantly by my side throughout this entire journey, she's not only a friend, but she's my sister and I love her so much,” Adams said during a Monday press briefing. “And I just really ask God to give her strength in the days to come.”

It is precisely that proximity to the mayor that made District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s indictment stand out against a fusillade of law enforcement probes into potential corruption in City Hall, not to mention Adams’ own criminal case.

The district attorney accused Lewis-Martin of doing favors for a pair of real estate executives who, in exchange, provided assistance to her son’s fashion business and sought to help him open a Chick-fil-A franchise in addition to funneling $100,000 into a joint checking account shared by mother and son.

Arthur Aidala, Lewis-Martin’s attorney, said the former chief adviser did nothing wrong and would fight the charges at trial.

“I hope they’ve been listening to Ingrid’s phone for the last 30 years,” Aidala said. “You know what they’re going to find out? She loves karaoke with all of her friends. She loves international travel with all of her friends. She is loyal to her family, friends and to Eric Adams.” — Joe Anuta

More from the city:

— The new NYPD commissioner quietly reversed hundreds of police transfers. (Gothamist)

— Mayoral candidate Jessica Ramos had half of her matching funds claims denied. (Daily News)

— The city has finalized rules for the new property tax abatement to spur multi-family home construction. (Crain’s)

A message from Uber:

Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday that she believes the Electoral College should be abolished. | Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

COLLEGE OF KNOWLEDGE: Hochul wants to abolish the Electoral College — a change unlikely to happen, but one that would make blue states like New York far more relevant in a presidential election.

A decade ago, lawmakers considered a different path that could have de-emphasized electors and strengthened the winner of the popular vote.

The so-called National Popular Vote Interstate Compact would enable a group of states to give their electoral votes to the overall winner of the popular vote. New York voted to join the compact in 2013, but the proposal hasn’t picked up enough steam to make a significant difference.

Republican state Sen. Joe Griffo backed it, in part, because the compact could have made all of New York relevant in a White House contest.

“You wouldn’t just focus on New York City, because if you’re a Republican you need the upstate vote,” he said.

But a wholesale change to the constitution by ending the electoral vote isn’t the way to go, he said. An interstate compact wouldn’t require an amendment.

“You haven’t thrown out the framework that was created by our forefathers,” Griffo said. — Nick Reisman

POLLUTION PRICING PLAN: Hochul plans to propose a sweeping policy to raise funds for climate action in New York by charging polluters for emissions.

She’s expected to move ahead with the cap-and-trade program through regulations and in her budget early next year. A portion of the money raised would be returned to consumers via their utility bills to address affordability concerns, according to four people familiar with the details.

Those people were granted anonymity due to the ongoing nature of the administration’s outreach.

If enacted, the “cap and invest” program would be a significant new source of revenue — raising close to a projected $3 billion in the first full year — for climate action in New York. Supporters plan to frame it as a significant step for state-level climate policy in the face of expected federal rollbacks under Trump.

“With the anticipated federal rollbacks, it’s a really important time for states to take action on climate,” said Kate Courtin, who leads the Environmental Defense Fund’s policy work in New York and other Northeastern states.

The “cap and invest” program has been in the works for years with Hochul first embracing it in early 2023. Fuel wholesalers and other polluters would be required to pay for emissions allowances. The money raised would be invested to support clean energy technologies with a portion returned to consumers.

“As part of the cap and invest pre-proposal process, state agencies have had hundreds of meetings with stakeholders groups,” said Hochul spokesperson Paul DeMichele. “No final decisions on the program have been made.” — Marie J. French

More from Albany:

— Hochul approved a bill meant to crackdown on third-party restaurant reservations. (Spectrum News)

— Private-sector employment in New York increased in November. (Spectrum News)

— A statewide prenatal leave law will take effect in the new year. (Times Union)

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Rep. Marc Molinaro’s next steps could potentially include a run for the upstate House seat being vacated by Rep. Elise Stefanik. | Francis Chung/POLITICO

THEIR FIGHT CONTINUES: Jan. 3 marks the last day in Congress for Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who lost a primary in June, and GOP Reps. Brandon Williams, Marc Molinaro and Anthony D’Esposito, who lost their reelection bids last month.

All have said that after they leave office, they’ll focus on areas they’ve long advocated for — whatever their next endeavors may be.

“I think that I’ll still be able to play a little bit of a helping hand in tax policy as relates to New York — SALT and the tax relief — but I’m going to be spending a lot of time pushing on services and resources for those with disabilities,” Molinaro told Playbook at the U.S. Capitol. “It’s an area that I’ve spent most of my adult life focused on, and frankly, I want to maintain those relationships with the advocacy groups and then help members understand that there’s one class of people that still hasn’t realized this capacity to pursue happiness.”

Molinaro’s next steps could potentially include a run for the upstate House seat being vacated by Rep. Elise Stefanik, a run he hasn’t ruled out.

D’Esposito of Long Island, a former NYPD detective, has made a very public bid to be Trump’s nominee to run the Drug Enforcement Administration.

He told Playbook he wants to “continue to work to keep this country safe. … Whether it’s somewhere in the administration or it’s back home locally, I will continue to support good legislation to secure our border, to fund our law enforcement agencies and to build coalitions amongst them — federal, local, state.” — Emily Ngo

More from Congress:

— House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is not a fan of the latest spending deal. (POLITICO)

— Rep. Mike Lawler said a potential federal government shutdown would create unnecessary chaos. (MSNBC)

— Elon Musk is “governing by tweet,” according to Rep. Daniel Goldman. (The Hill)

— Nassau County officials want federal authority to take down drones. (Newsday)

— The Trump team is already starting to back off a pledge to end the SALT cap. (THE CITY)

— New York City delays most workers’ comp insurance claims in the state. (NYS Focus)

Edited by Daniel Lippman

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: NYC Council Member Carmen De La Rosa … Tusk’s Cory Epstein … SKDK’s Alyssa Villanueva … Dynamic SRG’s Walter Swett … Antonio C. Martinez II … Louise Linton … AP’s Mary Clare Jalonick … PBS’ Paula Kerger … HuffPost’s Jen Bendery … Murray Waas ... Susan Neely of the American Council of Life Insurers … Cameron Willis … Patrick Sims … William Benedict … Jordan Emont

Missed Thursday’s New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.

A message from Uber:

Study Shows Uber Drivers making over $52k while NYC Heroes Get Left Behind

A new study reveals a growing wage divide in New York City: Uber drivers are making an average of $52,900 a year after expenses, while city employees like EMTs and sanitation workers starting salaries are below $44,000. Since 2020, rideshare drivers have received five pay increases through TLC mandates while many frontline city workers face stagnant wages amid rising living costs. This gap underscores an evolving dynamic in NYC’s workforce, where gig workers see consistent earnings growth while essential city roles lag behind. This pay disparity is raising questions about the city’s priorities and the need for equitable wages in public service amidst the affordability crisis.

Read the full story to see how gig work earnings are reshaping NYC’s labor landscape. Learn More.

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