By: Dean Weiner

A political guru recently exposed as a main adviser to Gov. Kathy Hochul has called it quits after being blamed for driving her political operation into the ground while developing a toxic reputation among her staff.

Colorado-based consultant Adam Sullivan, 42, told Hochul’s 2022 campaign staff of his decision in an email sent Sunday and shared with The New York Post.

“I am writing to formally let you know that I have decided to step back from my role helping or advising the Governor as well as the State Party and any other efforts in New York State for the foreseeable future,” it said.

The move followed a report revealing Sullivan’s central role in advising Hochul on major decisions — as well as being behind a decision that nearly torpedoed her bid to become the first elected female governor in state history.

The move followed a report revealing Sullivan’s central role in advising Hochul on major decisions — as well as being behind a decision that nearly torpedoed her bid to become the first elected female governor in state history.

It also comes amid complaints from several former Hochul campaign staff who told The New York Post the Leadville, Colorado, resident — who had no formal job title on the governor’s team — had an overbearing presence and belittled subordinates.

“We listened to him and he called the shots,” one former campaign staffer said.

Sullivan, who has no formal job other than running a small consulting firm, overruled others in the campaign who thought Hochul ought to respond to attacks by Republican nominee Rep. Lee Zeldin over crime, instead advising her to focus on abortion, the New York Times reported April 26.

“It speaks to Adam’s ability to drive Kathy’s decisions one way or another,” a second source told The New York Post. “I’ve never seen somebody being able to operate with that level of autonomy.”

Sullivan’s alleged “egomaniac” attitude behind the scenes appears to date back to Hochul’s successful 2011 congressional race.

In her most recent campaign, he would try to impress staffers at times by walking the halls while loudly speaking to Hochul, and asked questions about their personal lives despite professional boundaries, sources said.

Some staffers recalled him belittling subordinates with comments like saying the governor didn’t know who they were — especially when someone challenged his authority or came up with an idea he hadn’t thought of himself.

“Almost entirely that ire was directed at women — and young women usually,” the first source said.

A veteran of a prior Hochul campaign said they observed similar behavior from Sullivan during his time advising Hochul when she was running for lieutenant governor.