Tag: Marcus Molinaro

New York politics can be confusing. For years, the breakaway Independent Democratic Conference helped Republicans maintain control of the state Senate. Another Democrat, state Sen. Simcha Felder, still caucuses with the GOP. In the Assembly, Democrat Erik Bohen ran and won as a Republican and now can’t caucus with either conference. Actress Cynthia Nixon, who shares a last name with (but is not related to) former Republican President Richard Nixon, is challenging Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary. And everyone and their mother wants to run for state attorney general. City & State is here to help with a handy-dandy guide to some of New York’s difficult to pronounce political names so you can seamlessly discuss state politics with friends, loved ones and strangers on the subway. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (KEER-sten JILL-ih-brand) note: NOT Kristen Rep. Adriano Espaillat (ay-dree-AH-no ehs-pie-YAHT) Rep. Elise Stefanik (eh-LEASE ste-FAHN-ick) Rep. Thomas Suozzi (TOM-iss SWAH-zee) Rep. Nydia Velázquez (NIH-dee-ah vell-AZ-kez) Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul (KATH-ee HO-kuhl) Dutchess County Executive and GOP gubernatorial candidate Marcus Molinaro (MAR-kiss moe-lin-AIR-oh) State Sen. Michael Gianaris (MY-kuhl gee-ann-ARE-iss) State Sen. Marisol Alcantara (marry-SOLE al-CAN-tar-ah) State Sen. John Bonacic (JAHN BON-ah-sick) State Sen. Thomas Croci (TOM-iss CROW-chee) State Sen. Simcha Felder (SIM-kah FELL-der) State Sen. Rich Funke (RICH FUN-key) State Sen. Kathy Marchione (KATH-ee mar-SHOWN) State Sen. Shelley Mayer (SHELL-ee MAY-er) State Sen. Roxanne Persaud (rocks-ANN per-SAWD) State Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer (MY-kuhl RAN-zen-hoff-er) State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda (loo-EES seh-PULL-vee-duh) Assemblyman Dov Hikind (DOHV HI-kehnd) Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (nih-COLE mal-ee-oh-TAH-kiss) Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages (ME-kai-ale so-LAHJ) Assemblyman Joseph Morelle (JOE-sehf more-EHL-ee) New York City Councilwoman Alicka Ampry-Samuel (ah-LEE-kah AM-pree-SAM-yoo-ehl) New York City Councilman Costa Constantinides (COST-ah con-stan-tih-NEE-dees) New York City Councilman Robert Cornegy Jr. (RAH-berht CORN-egg-ee) New York City Councilman Mark Gjonaj (MARK JOE-nigh) New York City Councilman Ben Kallos (BEN KAY-lows) New York City Councilman Mark Levine (MARK leh-VEEN) New York City Councilman Steve Levin (STEEV LEH-vin) New York City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez (ee-DAHN-iss rod-REE-gez) New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams (joo-MAH-nee WIHL-yuhms) New York City Councilman Chaim Deutsch (khEYEm dietch) Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini (TIHM SEE-nee) Former New York City Housing Authority Chairwoman Shola Olatoye (SHOW-lah oh-LAH-toy-yay) Former state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (DEEN SKEH-lows) State Senate candidate Andrew Gounardes (ANN-drew guh-NAR-dez) U.S. Senate candidate Chele Chiavacci Farley (SHELL kee-ah-VAH-chee FAR-lee) Billionaire John Catsimatidis (JAHN cats-eh-mah-TEE-dees) Gristedes (griss-TEE-dees) note: above billionaire’s grocery store chain Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch (ED KAHTCH) Billionaire Republican donors Charles and David Koch (CHAHRLZ and DAY-vid COKE)