New Yorkers deserve better than theater this past election night. When a victorious candidate brags—or threatens—to “go to war” with Washington, the applause may play well on the stage, but the fallout plays out in our schools, hospitals, subways and storm‑damaged neighborhoods. I’m Tony Herbert, a moderate, common‑sense Democrat, and I’m making the case that, in this moment, a Republican governor would be the safer, more pragmatic, common‑sense choice for the people of New York.
Why does rhetoric matter? Because state government doesn’t live in a vacuum. New York is intertwined with the federal government in dozens of concrete ways: Medicaid funding and reimbursements, transit capital grants, federal disaster assistance, education grants, and countless programs that move billions into our neighborhoods. When Albany is locked in a public, bitter fight with Washington—threatening lawsuits, withholding cooperation, or burning bridges—those funds don’t flow as smoothly. Approvals slow. Waivers get delayed. Projects drag on, and ordinary New Yorkers pay the price.
A few realities guide my thinking:
1) Results come from relationships, not rage
Washington is a hive of relationships, horse‑trading and bureaucratic timelines. Governors who know how to build and maintain lines of communication with federal agencies and congressional leaders routinely secure faster approvals, larger discretionary awards and smoother recoveries after disasters. A governor who prefers demand and denunciation over negotiation risks losing the political capital needed to get things done. That’s not a partisan plea — it’s a practical one.
2) Federal control shifts. So should our strategy.
We do not know which party will control the Senate and House of Representatives next year. A governor who can work with both sides — and who is more likely to be aligned with a Republican federal administration if that happens — reduces the risk that New York will be sidelined when the levers of power in Washington change hands. Electing a governor who often finds common ground with federal leaders is about protecting New York’s ability to win for New Yorkers regardless of who sits in the Oval Office.
3) Confrontation is costly
Public standoffs often lead to litigation, drawn‑out negotiations, and frozen programs. Lawfare and brinkmanship require staff time, legal dollars and political energy that could otherwise be spent on schools, subway maintenance, or disaster recovery. When negotiators are already at war, they can’t be at the table getting things done. Fiscal discipline and a focus on delivering services — hallmarks of competent executive leadership — matter because they keep priorities moving forward.
4) Businesses and jobs respond to predictability
Companies thinking about investing in New York — whether building a facility upstate or expanding a storefront in the Bronx — look for predictable costs, steady policy and an environment where contracts and permits are handled efficiently. A governor who signals stability and a willingness to work with federal partners helps attract investment and sustain jobs. That’s not a small thing in places where every new job counts.
5) Real accountability is about outcomes, not slogans
Progressive agitation can help spotlight problems. But an elected leader’s first duty is to deliver services and protect vulnerable residents. If pursuing an ideological stance risks the loss of federal dollars that pay for health care, transit and disaster relief, that leader has to show a credible plan for replacing those dollars. Absent that plan, the rhetoric is effectively a budget cut dressed in performance art.
This is not a call to abandon values. It is a call for strategy. If you believe in universal health care, strong public transit, protected coastlines and resilient communities, ask yourself which candidate is more likely to secure the cash and approvals to make those things happen. A governor who can win fights in Albany matters — but so does the ability to secure funding in Washington, to obtain waivers, to lead cooperative disaster recoveries, and to shepherd large federal grants and infrastructure dollars into our communities.
A few practical suggestions for voters:
– Listen beyond the sound bites. If the Mayor Elect vows confrontation with Washington, ask: How will you replace the federal funding that supports these programs? What is your plan for maintaining federal partnerships?
– Demand specifics. Which federal programs are priorities, and how will you secure them? What experience does the Gubernatorial candidate have negotiating with federal agencies or Congress?
– Weigh record and temperament. A governor who delivers through negotiation and steady management will get more done than one who relies on headlines.
And for Black communities in particular: any candidate who seeks our votes must show it. The Republican candidate I’m urging voters to consider should not only pledge to be pragmatic with Washington — they must also present a clear Black agenda and a binding commitment to meet regularly with Black leaders so our neighborhoods are not ignored by state electeds as they have been in recent years. That agenda should include concrete items such as:
– Measurable M/WBE small business contracting goals, with timelines and transparent reporting so Black‑owned firms actually win contracts, not just get a promise on paper.
– Expanded technical assistance, bonding and access to capital programs targeted to Black entrepreneurs and community development organizations.
– Prioritized investments in neighborhoods that have been historically underfunded — from transit access and school repairs to resilient infrastructure and affordable housing.
– A public advisory council of Black civic, faith and business leaders whose meetings are held monthly or at least quarterly, with minutes published and follow‑up reporting on commitments made.
– Senior appointments and agency leadership that reflect the communities they serve, and regular audits to track progress.
Those are not aspirational talking points; they are accountability tools. If a candidate wants the support of Black New Yorkers, demand specific, measurable commitments and a schedule of regular meetings — not photo‑ops and vague promises. Make those meetings public, require deliverables, and insist on annual progress reports.
If New York is to thrive, we need leaders who can score wins for our neighborhoods — not just for their base. That means competence, credibility and a willingness to sit at the table with whoever controls Washington. For now, given the very real risk that bluster and conflict will cost New Yorkers billions in vital federal aid, I believe a Republican governor who offers both pragmatic federal engagement and a concrete, accountable plan for Black communities is more likely to protect our state’s interests and deliver the results our families need.
Elected office should be about serving people, not staging a permanent fight for issues that don’t benefit all of New York or any one community.
On that principle, I’ll take steady stewardship over scorched‑earth rhetoric every time. I must encourage my fellow Black New Yorkers to support Congresswoman Elise Stefanik hands down. We need a seat at every table and must start to bring our own chair.
