NY Observer > Stephen Minarik http://www.observer.com/taxonomy/term/24293/feed Articles from Observer.com en Debating Bloomberg's Record http://www.observer.com/2007/debating-bloombergs-record

Michael Bloomberg's change of party registration has kicked off speculation about his presidential run, but also about his time in City Hall.

The former chairman of the state Republican Party, Stephen Minarik, told Capital News 9 last night, “I would say that it’s probably--it’s still speculation now and it’s probably a huge long shot. But frankly, I would look around and I would challenge any of the potential candidates that are on both sides of the aisle in this race, I would challenge them to be able to produce a record of accomplishment like that of Mayor Bloomberg’s.”

He went on to say, “Mayor Michael Bloomberg has done such an outstanding job in running the city of New York that in my estimation, he’s one of the top decision makers I’ve ever seen as a leader in government. And I would say to you that is what we need in the federal government.”

That’s a little different than former Rudy Giuliani adviser Fred Siegel’s take on Bloomberg. Writing for The New Republic [subscription], Siegel said, “Bloomberg's greatest accomplishment has been to continue the Giuliani crime and welfare reforms. But when it comes to his own initiatives, 311 excepted, it's been a different matter.”

]]> http://www.observer.com/2007/debating-bloombergs-record#comments Politics Michael Bloomberg Stephen Minarik Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:35:39 -0400 Azi Paybarah 55390 at http://www.observer.com Waiting for Rudy: Some New York Republicans http://www.observer.com/2007/waiting-rudy-some-new-york-republicans

Here's a shot of some of the people biding their time at the Sheraton in midtown as they wait for New York GOP chairman Joe Mondello and most of the state party to announce their endorsement of Rudy Giuliani for President.

Republicans notably, and deliberately, steering clear of today's festivities include Mike Bloomberg, Al D'Amato, George Pataki and former state chair Stephen Minarik aren't particpating.

But who's counting?

]]> http://www.observer.com/2007/waiting-rudy-some-new-york-republicans#comments Politics Alfonse D'Amato George Pataki Joseph Mondello Michael Bloomberg Rudolph Giuliani Stephen Minarik Mon, 21 May 2007 14:54:56 -0400 Azi Paybarah 54293 at http://www.observer.com The Morning Read: November 13, 2006 http://www.observer.com/node/30703 Democrats want to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq within months.

Nancy Pelosi is backing John Murtha for as majority leader.

Russ Feingold said he won't run for president, and never really wanted to.

Howard Wolfson gets profiled.

Stephen Minarik, the state Republican Party chairman, is stepping down and could be replaced by the chairman in Nassau County, Joseph Mondello.

Newsday says that Minarik has Joe Bruno's support.

Alan Hevesi may step down as state comptroller to avoid prosecution from the Albany District Attorney.

Bill Thompson is reportedly not interested in succeeding Hevesi, opting to stay on as city comptroller and possibly run for mayor in 2009.

Ben has the back story on the angry real estate scion who helped oust Rep. Sue Kelly.

And the Times offers some advice to the state's Republican Party.

"New York's G.O.P. should embrace the city's dynamic mayor as its guiding star."
-- Azi Paybarah]]> http://www.observer.com/node/30703#comments Politics Alan Hevesi Nancy Pelosi Stephen Minarik U.S. Republican Party Mon, 13 Nov 2006 03:56:41 -0500 Observer Staff 30703 at http://www.observer.com Minarik After All? http://www.observer.com/node/30693 "I think Joe Bruno has articulated to me...that he wants me to stay on."

-- Republican State Chairman Stephen Minarik moments ago on WROW.

-- Azi Paybarah]]> http://www.observer.com/node/30693#comments Politics Joe Bruno Stephen Minarik Fri, 10 Nov 2006 06:33:00 -0500 Observer Staff 30693 at http://www.observer.com Faso Concedes, Praises Conservatives http://www.observer.com/node/30637 "There is no better state chairman in the country than Mike Long," said Republican John Faso in his concession speech just now, referring to the leader of the Conservative Party.

Nothing in there for Stephen Minarik, who will be the Republican State Chairman for at least another few minutes.

-- Azi Paybarah]]> http://www.observer.com/node/30637#comments Politics John Faso Mike Long Stephen Minarik Tue, 07 Nov 2006 17:01:57 -0500 Observer Staff 30637 at http://www.observer.com A Few Questions http://www.observer.com/node/30576 How long does Alan Hevesi have to enjoy his victory, if he wins?

How long does it take Republicans to get out the knives for state chairman Stephen Minarik? Who will replace him?

How many votes will decide this year's rematch between Nick Spano and Andrea Stewart-Cousins?

Does John Sweeney hold on? Or does he lose today because of the national Democratic surge? Or because of allegations that he beat his wife?

Who takes the seat in Buffalo: Tom Reynolds or self-financed Republican-turned-Democrat Jack Davis?

Could singer John Hall upset Rep. Sue Kelly?

In the city, how close does Stephen Harrison get to Vito Fossella?

What do the blogs say about Joe Lieberman's comeback in Connecticut?

If Bob Menendez hangs on in New Jersey, how quickly will this stuff go away?

And of course...What are the headlines in tomorrow's tabs?

-- Azi Paybarah]]> http://www.observer.com/node/30576#comments Politics Alan Hevesi Andrea Stewart-Cousins Nick Spano Stephen Minarik Tue, 07 Nov 2006 05:32:47 -0500 Observer Staff 30576 at http://www.observer.com The Morning Read: August 2, 2006 http://www.observer.com/node/29739 The Times reports a letter to the board of elections from Stephen Minarik accuses Andrew Cuomo of receiving "substantial unreported and, in certain cases, illegal in-kind contributions."

The Sun reports that a company targeted by Eliot Spitzer last year, offered a close friend $1 million for a meeting with the Attorney General.

The Albany Times Union reports that over two dozen media outlets, including itself, have filed a lawsuit against Sheldon Silver and Joe Bruno for violating "the state Freedom of Information Law by refusing to disclose which lawmakers asked for specific grants for community projects." —Nicole Brydson]]> http://www.observer.com/node/29739#comments Politics Andrew Cuomo Eliot Spitzer Sheldon Silver Stephen Minarik Wed, 02 Aug 2006 04:11:01 -0400 Observer Staff 29739 at http://www.observer.com Good Night, Weld: Ruddy Candidate Throws In Towel http://www.observer.com/node/38984 Bill Weld entered the New York Governor’s race as a red-haired, ruddy-cheeked savior for the s  read more »]]> http://www.observer.com/node/38984#comments Politics John Faso Massachusetts Stephen Minarik William Weld Sun, 11 Jun 2006 20:00:00 -0400 Jason Horowitz 38984 at http://www.observer.com The Everything's Just Fine Tour http://www.observer.com/node/29427 So we checked in with the KT McFarland's campaign, which is busy crossing the state for "KT Kitchen Talks," to see how they are feeling a day after Stephen Minarik implored the candidate to drop out of the race.

On the topic of forcing a primary against John Spencer, press secretary Morgan Ortagus-Dobbs said McFarland "clearly had the momentum at the convention" and that "she did it with the party leaders working against her." She added that McFarland was not "scared or intimidated" by the prospect of a primary contest.

"I'm from Florida and we have huge primary contests there," said Ortagus. " I don't know why it would be any different for New York."

New York's singularity seemed to be made achingly apparent to Bill Weld. We'll see how long McFarland can withstand the party's pressure.

-- Jason Horowitz]]> http://www.observer.com/node/29427#comments Politics John Spencer Kathleen Troia McFarland Morgan Ortagus-Dobbs Stephen Minarik Thu, 08 Jun 2006 08:30:19 -0400 Observer Staff 29427 at http://www.observer.com What About Steve? http://www.observer.com/node/29387 Besides the influence of George Pataki, and the future of Bill Weld, another state Republican big shot who comes out limping from yesterday's convention in Hempstead has to be Stephen J. Minarik III, the party leader who publicly and staunchly backed Weld and predicted that John faso would fail to break 16 percent. During a press conference in the "Pride Room" at the Hofstra arena after winning the party's endorsement, John Faso was asked repeatedly whether he felt Minarik should step down as party chair because he was out of step with the wishes of county leaders.

Faso dodged the question, but he didn't exactly give Minarik a ringing endorsement.

"I have always had cordial relations with Steve, a few bumps in the road perhaps," said Faso, "but I want to have all the Republicans in this state supporting me and helping me."

Minutes later, Minarik was questioned on the convention floor about once saying that Faso was in "La-La land."

"That was taken out of context," said Minarik.

Welcome to La-La Land.

—Jason Horowitz Misspellings corrected.]]> http://www.observer.com/node/29387#comments Politics George Pataki John Faso Stephen Minarik William Weld Fri, 02 Jun 2006 08:33:34 -0400 Observer Staff 29387 at http://www.observer.com