New York government political adviser Kathy Hochul, 42, resigns after creating ‘toxic work environment’

A senior adviser to New York Governor Kathy Hochul quit Sunday after reports emerged that he had created a toxic environment.

Adam Sullivan, 42, runs a small and little-known political consulting firm from his home in Leadville, Colorado.

However, since 2011 he advises Hochul – from 2000 miles away.

Last week The New York Times described him as “arguably the most powerful political force in New York that hardly anyone knows about,” and said he presided over a culture that disrespected subordinates — especially younger women.

The newspaper spoke to 15 people who said he refused to take responsibility for his mistakes, telling junior staff that Hochul did not know who they were.

Sullivan resigned on Sunday and apologized “to anyone who felt hurt in any way by my behavior.”

Sullivan wrote in an email obtained by The New York Post that he had “decided to relinquish my role as an assistant or adviser to the governor and state party for the foreseeable future and all other New York State endeavors.” ‘.

He continued, “As you know, the New York Times published a painful piece about me that made me rethink my interactions and relationships.”

Without going into details, Sullivan blamed his behavior on “the toll the campaign took on me.”

He said he intended to “take some time away from politics and the campaign environment and get sane.”

Many on Hochul’s team pointed the finger at Sullivan when she nearly lost her election campaign in November.

Hochul had prepared a campaign aimed at fighting crime, but Sullivan advised her to prioritize abortion instead.

Her Republican rival, Lee Zeldin, seized on her perceived weakness on crime and narrowly lost in the heavily Democratic state.

Nancy Pelosi, then Speaker of the House of Representatives, was among those who expressed surprise at the tactic.

Hochul had to tackle the crime “early, not 10 days before the election,” Pelosi said.

“We listened to him and he is in control,” said a former campaign official The New York Post.

Another said, “It speaks to Adam’s ability to somehow direct Kathy’s decisions.

‘I’ve never seen anyone who can operate so autonomously.’

Insiders told the Post that they found it extremely difficult to work with Sullivan.

They told the paper that he had told junior associates that Hochul didn’t know who they were, especially when they came up with a solution he hadn’t thought of.

They said it was mostly women who were chosen for the mockery.

“That anger was directed almost entirely at women — and mostly young women,” says a source.

Another insider, who worked in a previous Hochul campaign, said his behavior was similar when she ran for lieutenant governor.

“He was very condescending,” the former campaign official said.

“Sometimes I think some of us got the impression he was going to contradict something we were just suggesting to counter.”

Hochul continued to defend him.

Asked by The New York Post about his role, she told the newspaper, “Oh, Adam Sullivan is a good friend of mine.

“He helped me win a seat that everyone had told me, including the state party leaders at the time, that I would never win.”

In response to the New York Times article, Sullivan initially tried to defend himself.

“I’ve always tried to treat everyone with respect and I’m sorry that there are people who feel I didn’t meet that bar,” he said.

Julie Wood, a spokeswoman for the governor, said Hochul “appreciates his ideas and guidance.”

She added, “Ultimately what drives her decision making is what’s best for New Yorkers.”

Hochul has not commented on his resignation.