Carl Heastie: Relationships

Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Heastie has worked closely with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins on major legislative packages since Democrats secured unified control of both chambers in 2019. The two co-announced the 2019 rent reform legislation, the criminal justice reform package, and multiple joint press conferences on policy priorities . Stewart-Cousins publicly expressed confidence in Heastie's handling of his lobbyist relationship, stating she trusted the Speaker and was not concerned about conflicts of interest affecting budget negotiations .

Kathy Hochul

Heastie has served as one of the three key Albany negotiators alongside Governor Hochul and Stewart-Cousins since Hochul assumed the governorship in 2021. The Speaker and Governor have collaborated on budget agreements while maintaining distinct positions on issues such as the millionaire's tax and housing policy. In 2025, both endorsed Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor, with Hochul's endorsement preceding Heastie's by several days .

Sheldon Silver

Heastie succeeded Silver as Speaker after Silver's arrest on federal corruption charges in January 2015. Although Heastie served in the Assembly under Silver's leadership for 14 years, he positioned his speakership as a departure from the culture of secrecy associated with his predecessor, pledging transparency and ethical governance .

Jeffrey Dinowitz

Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz, the chair of the Bronx Assembly delegation, was a key ally in Heastie's 2008 takeover of the Bronx Democratic County Committee. Dinowitz co-led the Rainbow Rebellion alongside Heastie and publicly championed his candidacy for Speaker, describing him as an effective consensus builder .

Ruben Diaz Jr.

Former Bronx Borough President Diaz was among the younger officials who joined Heastie's Rainbow Rebellion coalition in 2008 to unseat Jose Rivera from the county party chairmanship. The partnership reflected a generational shift in Bronx Democratic politics .

Jose Rivera

Heastie's relationship with Assemblymember Jose Rivera has been defined by the 2008 contest for Bronx party leadership, in which Heastie's coalition ousted Rivera as county chair. Rivera continued to serve in the Assembly under Heastie's speakership .

Stanley Schlein

Lobbyist and political operative Stanley Schlein, often described as the Bronx's political kingmaker, played a central role in Heastie's 2008 capture of the county party chairmanship and has remained a close ally. Schlein has been involved with the Bronx Democratic Party for more than four decades .

Jamaal Bailey

State Senator Jamaal Bailey succeeded Marcos Crespo as Bronx Democratic County Committee chair in 2020. Bailey had interned for Heastie as an undergraduate at the University at Albany, a connection Heastie referenced in his 2019 opening session remarks. Bailey represents a new generation of Bronx political leadership that emerged from Heastie's organizational infrastructure .

Patrick Jenkins

Jenkins is Heastie's college roommate from Stony Brook University and closest political advisor. He served as Heastie's top aide from 2009 to 2010, then launched a lobbying firm while maintaining a consulting retainer from Heastie's office through at least 2016. Jenkins' lobbying business expanded significantly after Heastie became Speaker .

Crystal Peoples-Stokes

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes has served as Heastie's second-in-command in the chamber and co-led several major legislative announcements, including the marijuana legalization push and criminal justice reform packages .

Barack Obama

Heastie's advocacy for the My Brother's Keeper initiative created a direct connection with President Obama. At the 2021 New York State My Brother's Keeper Symposium, Obama credited Heastie with bringing leaders together to establish the first statewide implementation of the program .

Al Sharpton

One of Heastie's first public appearances after becoming Speaker was at a rally organized by the Reverend Al Sharpton in Harlem. Heastie's relationship with Sharpton reflects his connection to the broader network of Black political and civic leadership in New York .

Relationship with Zohran Mamdani

Heastie's endorsement of democratic socialist Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor in September 2025 represented a bridge between the Assembly's moderate Democratic establishment and its progressive wing. Heastie noted that Mamdani had informed him of his mayoral plans over a year earlier at a community barbecue, and described their communication as ongoing throughout the campaign. The endorsement was notable given the occasional tensions between Heastie's moderate faction and DSA-aligned members in the Assembly .