Democratic Incumbents On Sept. 9 Ballot
Election season kicks into high gear in less than two weeks when voters across the Empire State go to the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 9, for the statewide primaries.
The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 9; only voters registered with a political party may participate in their respective party’s primary. For information on voting, visit www.vote.nyc.ny.us or call 1- 212-VOTE-NYC.
Topping all Democratic Party ballots will be the race for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively. Incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo is facing a challenge from two New York City residents: law professor Zephyr Teachout of Brooklyn and comedian Randy Credico of Manhattan.
Last week, a state judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Cuomo’s campaign to have Teachout thrown off the ballot for allegedly failing to meet the state constitution’s five-year residency requirement to run for governor. Teachout narrowly lost the Working Families Party nomination to Cuomo back in June.
In the lieutenant governor’s race, former Rep. Kathy Hochul of Buffalo-who is Cuomo’s pick for the spot-is the heavy favorite to succeed current Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy on the Democratic ticket. Her lone opponent is Timothy Wu, a law professor running in tandem with Teachout.
Earlier this year, Duffy declined to run for a second term as lieutenant governor.
Whoever the Democrats choose for governor and lieutenant governor will face the Republican ticket of Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and Chemung County Sheriff Christopher Moss, along with third-party candidates, in the Nov. 4 general election.
Locally, there are six State Senate and Assembly Democratic primaries to watch in the Times Newsweekly coverage area. Aside from intra-party races for district leader and committee posts, there are no major Republican primary contests.
In the Assembly, long-time incumbent Assemblywoman Margaret Markey is facing a challenge for her 30th Assembly District seat from Community Board 5 Second Vice Chairperson Dmytro Fedkowskyj, a former Panel for Educational Policy member. The 30th District covers parts of Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside, Maspeth, Middle Village and Rego Park.
Two Cypress Hills residents are competing for the open 54th Assembly District seat, which covers parts of Bushwick, Cypress Hills and East New York. Former City Council Member Erik Martin Dilan and local pastor Kimberly Council are competing to succeed Rafael Espinal, who vacated the seat earlier this year to become a City Council member.
Though incumbents tend to be favored in primaries, one lawmaker who figures to be in jeopardy of losing is State Sen. Malcolm Smith of the 14th Senatorial District, which covers parts of parts of Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill and southeastern Queens.
Smith was indicted in April 2013 on federal corruption charges; a mistrial was declared in his case earlier this year, and he is awaiting retrial.
Smith is being challenged by Deputy Queens Borough President Leroy Comrie of St. Albans, also a former City Council member, and attorney Munir Avery of Jamaica.
Another incumbent facing a challenge is State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky of the 16th Senatorial District, which is gerrymandered across central Queens and covers parts of Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park, Woodside and eastern Queens neighborhoods.
Stavisky’s opponent is community activist and businessman S.J. Jung of Flushing.
State Sen. James Sanders is facing two challengers for his 10th Senatorial District seat, which includes parts of Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, southeastern Queens and the eastern Rockaways. They are businessman Everly Brown of Rosedale and real estate broker Gian Jones of Far Rockaway.
Finally, State Sen. Martin Malavé Dilan, the long-time incumbent representing the 18th Senatorial District, is facing a challenge from tenant organizer Debbie Medina of Williamsburg. The 18th District includes parts of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Cypress Hills, East Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Williamsburg.
