The 2025 Albany Power 100

In Albany, the players may change, but the game remains the same. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who entered office with a pledge to collaborate with lawmakers, has adopted a more hardball style. Her strong-arm tactics echo the approach of her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, who’s now looking for political redemption as the front-runner in the New York City mayoral race. As for the current New York City mayor, Eric Adams notched some wins in the latest state budget – although he may not be around much longer to enjoy them.

Some politicians also sense weakness in the governor, who won a close race in 2022. Her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, has already entered the fray for 2026, and a trio of Republicans are positioning themselves for a potential run. Overshadowing the entire political landscape, of course, is a former New Yorker who’s back in the White House – and he’s slashing federal funding, hunting down immigrants and asserting control over prosecutions, infrastructure investment and higher education.

City & State’s Albany Power 100, written and researched in partnership with journalist Aaron Short, recognizes dozens of key players in state politics and government – and ranks them based on their wins and losses over the past year.