Power & Politics

This week on Power & Politics host Tom Eschen sits down with New York State Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra, discussing the 2026 midterm election results and the GOP's approach to the 2027 Legislative Session. He also speaks with Democratic Assemblymember John McDonald, talking about the recent ALPR hearing at the NYS Capital, plus reaction from the election results as well.

00:00 New York’s 2027 legislative outlook

01:30 AI research center, data centers, and ALPR privacy

11:51 Redistricting and Albany’s budget challenges

18:54 Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra

33:15 Assemblymember John McDonald

48:15 Power and Pop Culture: classic books in film

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A 2026 Midterm Election Recap edition of Power & Politics. Tom Eschen and Olivia Holloway breakdown the biggest headlines from the national, Statewide and local races.

Guests include:

-NYS Senate District 44 Winner Sarah Rogerson (D)

-Assembly District 102 Winner Marc Molinaro (R)

-Bluejacket Strategies Partner Morgan Hook

-GOP Strategist Peter Guidarelli

00:00 Election-night recap and production

01:55 National election trends and the shift toward Democrats

06:50 Congressional race results: NY-21 and NY-17

12:15 What the results could mean for Congress

16:07 Sarah Rogerson’s upset win in State Senate District 44

20:06 Redistricting and voter confusion

25:03 Interview with State Senator-elect Sarah Rogerson

42:44 Rogerson on municipal funding and rising healthcare costs

50:54 Interview with Assemblyman-elect Mark Molinaro

1:02:33 Molinaro on rebuilding the New York GOP

1:11:44 Morgan Hook on the results and what Democrats need to do

1:24:37 Anthony Constantino and the close NY-21 race

1:28:03 New York’s legislative supermajority and upstate Democrats

1:34:16 GOP Strategist Peter Guidarelli

1:55:30 Power & Pop Culture: Christmas music/decor

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New York 19th Congressional District Representative Josh Riley (D) discusses his bid for reelection. He's being challenged by Republican New York State Senator Peter Oberacker.

00:17 Riley’s case for re-election
01:48 Bipartisanship and legislation
03:50 Tackling high utility bills
09:15 Iran war, fertilizer prices, and farmers
11:19 Immigration and the agricultural workforce
13:36 Rural healthcare and local investments
16:34 Cornell allegations and campus safety
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New York State Senator Peter Oberacker (R), who represents New York's
51st Senate District, is challenging incumbent Democrat Josh Riley in New York's 19th Congressional District.

00:20 Why Oberacker is running for Congress
01:37 Working across the aisle in the State Senate
02:35 Priorities for New York’s 19th District
04:59 Utility costs and New York’s energy policy
07:26 War, fuel prices, and domestic refining
08:50 Immigration and farm labor
10:00 Rural health care and school-based health centers
11:59 Cornell investigation: federal or local response?
13:39 Congressional priorities and preferred committees
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NYS Senate District 44 nominee Sarah Rogerson speaks with CBS6's Tom Eschen on Power & Politics. Rogerson is a public interest attorney and immigration law expert, discussing her campaign. She provides her perspective and ideas on utility costs, State spending, immigration enforcement and more.

00:00 — Sarah Rogerson on Why She’s Running
00:25 — Affordability and State Aid for Local Governments
01:50 — Healthcare Costs, Oversight, and Economic Growth
03:16 — Utility Rates and Modernizing the Power Grid
04:56 — Balancing Climate Goals
08:11 — Data Centers, AI, and Responsible Development
09:28 — Immigration, Constitutional Rights, and Public Safety
13:23 — Progressive Taxes and the Upstate Perspective
15:22 — Horse-Track Safety and State Oversight
16:31 — Day-One Priority: Medical Non-Compete ProtectionsRogerson is facing incumbent Jim Tedisco in this year's election, CBS6 hopes to speak with him prior to Election Day.

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