Carl Heastie: Public Appearances and Media
Major Legislative Announcements
Heastie has served as the public face of the Assembly Majority's legislative agenda since 2015, regularly appearing at joint press conferences with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Governor Andrew Cuomo (through 2021) and subsequently Governor Kathy Hochul. Notable joint appearances include the June 2019 announcement of historic tenant protection legislation, the 2019 criminal justice reform rollout, and the June 2020 press conference with Governor Cuomo, Stewart-Cousins, and Reverend Al Sharpton on policing reform following the death of George Floyd .
Mamdani Endorsement and Campaign Events
On September 17, 2025, Heastie held a press conference in his northeast Bronx district to endorse Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor. The event drew significant media coverage as Heastie was one of the final major Democratic leaders to back Mamdani, following Governor Hochul's endorsement days earlier . On October 26, 2025, Heastie appeared at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens alongside Senator Bernie Sanders, Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and other Democratic officials for the Mamdani campaign's closing-stretch rally .
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Heastie's public appearances shifted to emphasize pandemic relief measures, including virtual budget negotiations and announcements of eviction moratoriums, the Excluded Worker Fund, and small business recovery grants. He also used social media and video messages to update constituents on relief programs and safety guidance .
Cuomo Impeachment Proceedings
Heastie's handling of the Assembly's impeachment investigation into Governor Cuomo generated sustained media attention from March through August 2021. He held multiple press conferences on the topic, including a joint appearance with Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Lavine on August 9, 2021, during which he stated the governor had lost the confidence of the Assembly majority . His August 13 statement suspending the impeachment inquiry upon Cuomo's resignation drew both praise and criticism from media commentators and advocacy groups .
District and Constituent Events
Heastie has maintained a regular schedule of district-level appearances in the northeast Bronx, including constituent services days, community town halls, food drives, and partnerships with local organizations. Notable events include an October 2016 Constituent Services Day bringing employment, legal aid, and immigration resources to residents, and a 2019 tour of the Eagle Academy for Young Men with school leadership and lobbyist Patrick Jenkins . He was also involved in relief coordination following Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020, working with Con Edison leadership to address downed power lines and storm damage in his district .
Community Development Announcements
Heastie's advocacy for the construction of a YMCA facility in the Edenwald neighborhood of the Bronx culminated in the New York City Economic Development Corporation's 2016 announcement of the project. Heastie appeared at the August 2018 groundbreaking ceremony. The project was designed to bring 100 construction jobs and 100 permanent positions to the community .
Partnership with Google
Heastie partnered with Google for a CS First Roadshow event at Cornerstone Academy Middle School in the Bronx, providing coding demonstrations and computer science exposure to approximately 80 students in grades four through eight. Heastie framed the event as part of a broader effort to encourage young people in STEM fields .
Commencement Addresses
Heastie delivered the keynote address at Baruch College's 2019 Commencement Ceremony at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 3, 2019, returning to his MBA alma mater as Speaker . In May 2026, he served as commencement speaker at Stony Brook University's graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026 at LaValle Stadium, where he encouraged graduates to uplift others in the next generation .
Opening Session Remarks
Heastie delivers annual opening session remarks at the start of each legislative year, using the addresses to outline the Assembly Majority's priorities. His 2019 address previewed the criminal justice reform agenda, his 2020 address defended bail reform, and his 2026 address emphasized environmental protection and opposition to federal rollbacks of climate policy .
Media Profile
Heastie has maintained a relatively low public media profile compared to previous Assembly Speakers. Coverage in City and State NY, New York Focus, and the New York Post has focused on his leadership style, policy decisions, and personal controversies rather than on extensive feature profiles. City and State NY's February 2022 feature characterized him as a deliberate, reserved leader whose unassuming demeanor belied his political acumen . New York Focus has produced the most sustained investigative coverage of Heastie, focusing on the lobbyist relationship, the plastics bill, and conflict-of-interest concerns .