BIAGGI FEELS THE CAM-PAIN
House hopeful faces staff exits, gripes
She’s in for a rude awokening. Far-left state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi’s quest to become a member of the House next year is sputtering, with the Squad wannabe’s campaign rocked by staff departures and former employees who claim she’s a nightmare to work with.
In the last few weeks, campaign manager Chris Walsh and campaign field director Samantha Fullam have both departed, the campaign confirmed.
Walsh’s exit marked a sharp comedown from just two months ago, when he eagerly revealed his hiring by Biaggi (D-Bronx, Westchester).
“Excited to announce that I am joining @Biaggi4NY as CM! I’ve known Alessandra for years and I know she is going to be a fierce advocate for the people of Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, the Bronx, and Westchester,” he had tweeted.
His Twitter profile now lists him as “currently: resting.”
Walsh declined to comment for this story. Fullam did not respond to request for comment.
Biaggi’s campaign downplayed the departures.
“There was a seamless transition. Everything is friendly. Things change. It’s not that big a deal,” spokesman David Neustadt said. “We’re neither the first nor last campaign to have staff changes in the course of a campaign.”
A ‘gaslighter’
Insiders say her office is hardly a reflection of the progressive values she so often touts.
“She was very hyper. She screamed and yelled quite [a] bit,” one former staffer said. “She had a policy that nobody on staff could speak to her. Everyone had to go through the chief of staff.”
The ex-staffer recalled receiving haranguing texts past 2 a.m. and called Biaggi a “gaslighter.”
“She always says be sure you’re taking care of your mental health, but working for her is the worst thing you can do for your mental health,” the former staffer said.
Neustadt said, “Senator Biaggi sets very high standards for herself and her staff because the work of her office serving the community is extremely important. Her staff has always had access to her and her chief of staff as appropriate.”
Biaggi is running in a seven-way Democratic primary to replace Rep. Tom Suozzi, one of dozens of Democrats not seeking re-election as the party faces the prospect of a wipeout in the November midterms.
Biaggi is looking to corner the progressive vote and would likely align with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the rest of the Squad if elected.
Her campaign has been endorsed by many of the city’s top elected Democratic Socialists, including Rep. Jamaal Bowman and state Sens. Julia Salazar and Jabari Brisport.
Off to a slow start
Despite surging crime, Biaggi has opposed increasing police on subways and supported the “defund the police” movement. She has received a chilly reception in Suozzi’s moderate Long Island district, and the retiring congressman has come out against her.
Progressive candidates often post large fundraising hauls, but Biaggi has found herself outgunned by her primary rivals.
In the first quarter of 2022, her campaign raised $437,230 — less than the $550,235 pulled in by Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan and the $916,914 garnered by Robert Zimmerman, a PR executive.