UWS Congressman Named Most Powerful Person In Manhattan

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — City & State published Monday its annual list of the 100 most powerful people in Manhattan, and Upper West Side Congressman Jerry Nadler was named the No. 1 most powerful person in the borough for 2021.

The power list featured public officials, business executives, hospital CEOs, community leaders, and consultants, but all of them were ranked under Nadler for the most influence wielded in Manhattan.

Nadler was elected to Congress in 1992. He oversees New York City's 10th congressional district, which stretches the majority of the West Side of Manhattan and also a handful of neighborhoods in Brooklyn.

The now 74-year-old is a longtime Upper West Side resident, who is frequently spotted walking around the neighborhood or shopping in local businesses such as Zabar's.

In January 2021, he brought the iconic UWS business some publicity when he brought a Zabar's bag to the House floor during the impeachment of then-President Donald Trump.

Here's what City & State had to say about ranking Nadler No. 1 on its list of the 100 most powerful people in Manhattan in 2021.

"Over the course of more than four decades in elected office, Rep. Jerry Nadler has established himself as one of New York’s leading politicians," wrote the City & State staff. "He played a key role in the first impeachment proceeding against then-President Donald Trump – whom he had tussled within a land-use dispute in Manhattan years earlier. Nadler, who was elected to Congress in 1992, has joined fellow Manhattan Rep. Carolyn Maloney in drawing attention to the ongoing health impacts of the 9/11 terror attacks in lower Manhattan."

Nadler wasn't the only Upper West Side figure to make the Manhattan power list.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer was named the eighth most powerful person in the borough, who is the heavy favorite to reclaim her old UWS City Council seat in November.

Local Assembly Members Daniel O'Donnell and Linda Rosenthal, and Council Member Helen Rosenthal were all named among the top 50 most powerful people in Manhattan (in that order).

Dan Garodnick, the president and CEO of the Riverside Park Conservancy, was also named the 92nd most powerful person in the borough.

Here is the overall top 10 list from the 2021 Manhattan power ranking:

1. Jerry Nadler: Member of Congress
2. Adriano Espaillat: Member of Congress
3. Liz Krueger: State Senator
4. Brian Benjamin: Lieutenant Governor
5. Richard Gottfried: Assembly Member
6. Carolyn Maloney: Member of Congress
7. Al Sharpton: Founder and President of National Action Network
8. Gale Brewer: Manhattan Borough President
9. Kathryn Wylde: President and CEO of Partnership for New York City
10. Michael Dowling: President and CEO of Northwell Health

You can check out the full list on the City & State website.