The Perez Notes

Jeff Coltin returns to City & State New York — this time as Editor-in-Chief. In this episode of The Perez Notes, Roberto Perez sits down with Jeff Coltin to discuss his full-circle journey from intern in 2014 to leading one of New York’s most influential political publications. Coltin rose through the ranks at City & State, serving as City Hall Bureau Chief before departing in 2023 to write POLITI...

Samuel A.A. Levine — From FTC Enforcer to NYC’s Top Consumer Watchdog NYC’s new Commissioner of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, Samuel A.A. Levine, joins The Perez Notes for a deep dive into the future of consumer rights and worker protection in America’s largest city. Before taking the helm at DCWP in January 2026, Levine led the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Pro...

In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with Julie Won, New York City Council Member for District 26, as she makes the leap to Congress in a race to succeed Nydia Velázquez. Julie Won is a trailblazer in New York City politics—the first woman and first immigrant to represent District 26, and the first Korean-American Council Member in the city’s history. A mother of two young children and a...

Meet Chuck Park Born in Flushing and raised by Korean immigrant storeowners, Chuck Park’s story is rooted in the world’s borough. He served our country as a U.S. diplomat under Barack Obama, then came home to serve his community as a grassroots organizer and city government leader. Now, Chuck is running as a Democrat for Congress in NY-6—to defeat Trumpism, kick corporate PAC money out of our poli...

🎙️ Jibreel joins The Perez Notes for a wide-ranging conversation about community, leadership, and his run for State Assembly. The son of a union nurse and a taxi driver who immigrated to New York in pursuit of the American dream, Jibreel was born and raised in the community he now seeks to serve. Growing up, he watched families, faith institutions, and neighbors hold one another up—often stepping...

🎙️ Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso joins The Perez Notes for a wide-ranging conversation about his run for Congress, as he seeks to succeed longtime Representative Nydia Velázquez. Reynoso breaks down why he’s entering the race, how he’s approaching the campaign, and what he sees as the stakes for Brooklyn and New York City. We discuss Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s decision not to endorse, the...

In this episode of The Perez Notes, host Roberto Perez speaks with Bradley Honan, CEO & President of the Honan Strategy Group, about the latest New York City congressional races and what the data says about where the political landscape is headed. Honan breaks down his race-by-race predictions, analyzes the recent Siena College poll, and explains what the numbers mean for Governor Hochul and Mayor...

In this episode of The Perez Notes, host Roberto Perez is joined by Harry Siegel, Senior Editor at THE CITY, Moynihan Public Scholar at City College, and host of the FAQ NYC podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation on the shifting power dynamics in New York politics. They break down Mayor Eric Adams’ time capsule moment and what it symbolizes about his exit from City Hall, analyze the latest Siena...

In this episode, Roberto Perez sits down with Ben Max to break down the key political battles shaping New York City. We dive into the major congressional races, the New York City Council Speaker’s race, Mayor-elect Mamdani’s transition and early appointments, and the other contests redefining the city’s political landscape. Insightful, fast-paced, and essential for anyone following NYC politics.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards joins The Perez Notes for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of New York City’s largest borough and the political shifts reshaping its leadership. We break down the state of affordable housing development in Queens, the projects moving forward, and the obstacles that remain. Richards also reflects on Zohran Mamdani’s groundbreaking win, what it sign...

🎙️ Lorelei Salas joins The Perez Notes for a powerful conversation on why New York City needs an Office of Economic Justice — and how it would function under Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s administration. Salas breaks down how this office could protect low-income New Yorkers, enforce fair-market practices, and reshape the city’s approach to economic equity. We explore how it would coordinate with ex...

In this episode of The Perez Notes, Daily News City Hall reporter Chris Sommerfeldt joins Roberto Perez for a deep dive into the shifting landscape of New York City politics. We break down Jesse Tisch staying on as NYPD Commissioner, how the Mamdani administration is taking shape, and what this means for policing, power, and early governing signals. Chris also examines Mayor Eric Adams’ relationsh...

Henry A. Garrido, Executive Director of District Council 37, joins Roberto Perez to unpack the NYC Council Speaker’s race, the results of the mayoral election, and the political shift under Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Garrido also reflects on Mayor Eric Adams, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and what these changes mean for New York’s workers, unions, and the future of city governance.

🎙️ New York Times reporter Ben Orozco joins The Perez Notes to unpack the Somos el Futuro conference, the political rise of Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, and the latest maneuvering in the New York City Council speaker’s race. From the Bronx to Albany, we break down the personalities, power plays, and shifting coalitions shaping New York politics today — and what it all means heading into 2025....

🎙️ In this episode of The Perez Notes, Cea Weaver, Executive Director of Housing Justice for All and the New York State Tenant Bloc, joins Roberto Perez to break down Zohran Mamdani’s victory and what it means for the future of affordable housing in New York. Weaver reflects on Eric Adams’ record on housing, Bill de Blasio’s legacy, and the ongoing fight to secure stronger tenant protections, good...

🎙️ In this episode of The Perez Notes, former FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh joins Roberto Perez for a wide-ranging conversation on New York City politics, leadership, and public service. Kavanagh reflects on the mayoral election results, the transition of power, and her groundbreaking tenure as the first woman to lead the FDNY. She discusses the challenges and milestones of diversifying the dep...

🎙️ Amit Singh Bagga, campaign manager for Yes on Affordable Housing and a seasoned Democratic strategist, joins The Perez Notes to unpack New York City’s ballot proposals, the fight for affordable housing, and the City Council’s role in driving reform. Bagga explains how this year’s initiatives could reshape opportunity and housing equity across the five boroughs. #AmitSinghBagga #ThePerezNotes #N...

🎙️ Assembly Member Alex Bores joins The Perez Notes to discuss his campaign for Congress, his vision for New York, and his thoughts on the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence. Running to succeed longtime Congress Member Jerry Nadler, Bores shares his path to victory, the issues driving his campaign, and how he plans to bring tech-savvy, forward-thinking leadership to Washington. #NYP...

🎙️ State Senator Gustavo Rivera joins The Perez Notes to discuss the Somos El Futuro Conference, the mayoral race, his endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, and why he says Eric Adams is a one-term mayor. Rivera also shares his candid thoughts on former Governor Andrew Cuomo and the shifting landscape of New York politics. #NYPolitics #ThePerezNotes #GustavoRivera #ZohranMamdani #EricAdams #AndrewCuomo

🎙️ In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with Brian Romero, who’s filing to run for the open seat in New York State Assembly District 34, aiming to succeed Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, his former boss now seeking a State Senate seat. A proud member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Romero discusses his decision to enter the race, his connection to NYC-DSA, and his...

🎙️ Ligia Guallpa: Fighting for New York’s Immigrant Workers In this episode of The Perez Notes, Roberto Perez speaks with Ligia Guallpa, Executive Director of the Workers Justice Project (WJP) — and one of New York City’s most influential voices for immigrant and low-wage workers. The daughter of a former day laborer and garment worker, Ligia shares how her personal story fuels her fight for justi...

In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with Vilda Vera Mayuga, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). We break down the agency’s wide-ranging work — from enforcing labor laws and protecting workers’ rights to ensuring fair business practices across New York City. Commissioner Mayuga sheds light on policy priorities, how the city approaches enforcement,...

In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams for a wide-ranging conversation. We discuss Mayor Eric Adams’ decision not to seek re-election, the state of the Democratic Party in New York, Zohran Mamdani’s endorsement, the impact of Trump-era policies, and the challenges around housing and governance in the city.

In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with Kenny Burgos — former Assemblymember and now CEO of the New York Apartment Association — for a deep dive on housing in New York City. We break down the affordability crisis, the policies that could reshape the city’s future, and how housing will play a decisive role in the upcoming mayoral election. Burgos brings his perspective from the Bronx to...

The Perez Notes – Interview with Holly Pretsky This week on The Perez Notes, I’m joined by Holly Pretsky, City Editor at City & State NY, to break down the latest in New York politics. We dive into the fast-moving NYC mayoral race, unpack the week’s biggest political news, and take a closer look at the campaigns of Andrew Cuomo, Eric Adams, and Zohran Mamdani. Holly brings her sharp reporting and...