Real Estate Executives in New York Frustrated by Expected Cuomo Campaign Selection
Kevin Elkins, who serves as the political director for the New York City carpenters union, is expected to be involved in Cuomo’s upcoming campaign.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — A labor official involved in discussions for a significant role in former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s anticipated mayoral campaign is causing distress among the city's affluent real estate sector.
Kevin Elkins, the political director at the New York City District Council of Carpenters, is rumored to take on a position in the campaign, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.
“If you were to pick a single name that would antagonize the vast majority of the industry it would probably be Kevin Elkins,” stated an industry insider, who requested anonymity to provide an honest opinion.
The existing rivalry between the real estate industry and the union, which is approaching an endorsement of Cuomo, is well-established.
The carpenters union distinctively diverges from other building trade unions with its openly confrontational and aggressive stance towards the real estate sector, one of New York's wealthiest components that significantly influences public policy and politics. The union played a crucial role in promoting enhanced wage requirements under the revived multi-family housing tax break, known as 485-x, which received approval in Albany last year. Developers were left dissatisfied with the arrangement, arguing that the labor rules rendered the incentive impractical for many residential projects in a city desperately needing housing.
In addition, Elkins often publicly criticizes the Real Estate Board of New York, the industry's primary trade group, via social media — addressing contentious negotiations in Albany and even issues where the carpenters union is not directly involved, such as a City Council proposal to limit broker fees.
Although Cuomo has historically maintained a close relationship with the building trades, some developers remain particularly worried about Elkins’ potential role.
“By bringing this guy into the campaign so early, it’s really showing a concerning alignment with labor that will, potentially, down the road cause even more significant issues and more contention between real estate and the trades,” remarked one developer who chose to remain anonymous to express his views.
Another industry insider echoed similar sentiments about Elkins, wishing to speak freely under anonymity.
A spokesperson for the former governor defended Elkins, asserting that “Kevin is a smart guy who fights hard for his people and those are good things to have on a campaign, of which there currently isn’t one. The governor has and always will do what is best for all New Yorkers.”
Elkins chose not to comment.
Before his union involvement starting in 2021, Elkins had worked for former Staten Island Representative Max Rose, who briefly considered a run for mayor.
“When’s the last time REBNY won a legislative fight? I’m being sincere,” Elkins posted on X last November, sharing an article about the council passing legislation against broker fees that the trade group opposed.
During intense negotiations in Albany related to the multi-family housing tax break, Elkins consistently implicated the industry in obstructing the broader housing initiative.
“REBNY stands alone in opposing [a deal],” Elkins wrote on X last January. “This is how the most recent rent laws passed. Amazing how history repeats itself!”
In another early April post, Elkins remarked, “This budget season I’m grateful for all the creatively disingenuous ways REBNY has tried to hide the fact that its wage proposal is the same wage-theft filled average wage policy. It’s done more to expose their tactics to lawmakers & media than we ever could.”
The tax break, which was part of a larger housing agreement confirmed last April, faced backlash from leading developers like Douglas Durst and Two Trees’ Jed Walentas, who chairs REBNY. Both developers decided to pause significant projects along the waterfronts of Queens and Brooklyn after determining that the new incentive fell short financially.
Governor Kathy Hochul has defended the tax break, suggesting that it will gain favor with developers as interest rates decline. Meanwhile, Elkins and the carpenters accused the industry of “bluffing.”
Despite their reservations about Elkins, developers and industry figures generally hold a favorable view of Cuomo amid the competitive race to succeed Mayor Eric Adams.
The incumbent, who advocates for real estate expansion, is currently facing a federal corruption indictment as he attempts to secure reelection.
“I think very few people [within the industry] think there’s a shot for the current mayor. The remainder of the announced field is seen as very, very far left,” observed one real estate lobbyist. “The weight of opinion is I think you’ll see considerable support for Governor Cuomo.”
Nick Reisman contributed to this report.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
Kevin Elkins, the political director at the New York City District Council of Carpenters, is rumored to take on a position in the campaign, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.
“If you were to pick a single name that would antagonize the vast majority of the industry it would probably be Kevin Elkins,” stated an industry insider, who requested anonymity to provide an honest opinion.
The existing rivalry between the real estate industry and the union, which is approaching an endorsement of Cuomo, is well-established.
The carpenters union distinctively diverges from other building trade unions with its openly confrontational and aggressive stance towards the real estate sector, one of New York's wealthiest components that significantly influences public policy and politics. The union played a crucial role in promoting enhanced wage requirements under the revived multi-family housing tax break, known as 485-x, which received approval in Albany last year. Developers were left dissatisfied with the arrangement, arguing that the labor rules rendered the incentive impractical for many residential projects in a city desperately needing housing.
In addition, Elkins often publicly criticizes the Real Estate Board of New York, the industry's primary trade group, via social media — addressing contentious negotiations in Albany and even issues where the carpenters union is not directly involved, such as a City Council proposal to limit broker fees.
Although Cuomo has historically maintained a close relationship with the building trades, some developers remain particularly worried about Elkins’ potential role.
“By bringing this guy into the campaign so early, it’s really showing a concerning alignment with labor that will, potentially, down the road cause even more significant issues and more contention between real estate and the trades,” remarked one developer who chose to remain anonymous to express his views.
Another industry insider echoed similar sentiments about Elkins, wishing to speak freely under anonymity.
A spokesperson for the former governor defended Elkins, asserting that “Kevin is a smart guy who fights hard for his people and those are good things to have on a campaign, of which there currently isn’t one. The governor has and always will do what is best for all New Yorkers.”
Elkins chose not to comment.
Before his union involvement starting in 2021, Elkins had worked for former Staten Island Representative Max Rose, who briefly considered a run for mayor.
“When’s the last time REBNY won a legislative fight? I’m being sincere,” Elkins posted on X last November, sharing an article about the council passing legislation against broker fees that the trade group opposed.
During intense negotiations in Albany related to the multi-family housing tax break, Elkins consistently implicated the industry in obstructing the broader housing initiative.
“REBNY stands alone in opposing [a deal],” Elkins wrote on X last January. “This is how the most recent rent laws passed. Amazing how history repeats itself!”
In another early April post, Elkins remarked, “This budget season I’m grateful for all the creatively disingenuous ways REBNY has tried to hide the fact that its wage proposal is the same wage-theft filled average wage policy. It’s done more to expose their tactics to lawmakers & media than we ever could.”
The tax break, which was part of a larger housing agreement confirmed last April, faced backlash from leading developers like Douglas Durst and Two Trees’ Jed Walentas, who chairs REBNY. Both developers decided to pause significant projects along the waterfronts of Queens and Brooklyn after determining that the new incentive fell short financially.
Governor Kathy Hochul has defended the tax break, suggesting that it will gain favor with developers as interest rates decline. Meanwhile, Elkins and the carpenters accused the industry of “bluffing.”
Despite their reservations about Elkins, developers and industry figures generally hold a favorable view of Cuomo amid the competitive race to succeed Mayor Eric Adams.
The incumbent, who advocates for real estate expansion, is currently facing a federal corruption indictment as he attempts to secure reelection.
“I think very few people [within the industry] think there’s a shot for the current mayor. The remainder of the announced field is seen as very, very far left,” observed one real estate lobbyist. “The weight of opinion is I think you’ll see considerable support for Governor Cuomo.”
Nick Reisman contributed to this report.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
