It’s Primary Day in New York, and voters are casting ballots in a number of races. The polls are open today from 6 a.m to 9 p.m.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected by many to easily win re-election. But a long-shot primary challenge from Zephyr Teachout, a liberal Democrat, has created problems for the incumbent. Some progressives in the party are backing her bid, reminding voters along the way that Cuomo has governed largely as a centrist, working cooperatively with Republicans in the state Senate. Teachout has also attacked Cuomo for allegedly attempting to influence an anti-corruption commission in Albany.
“There is a lot of excitement just about the David and Goliath quality to this race. I think people thought ‘well, she doesn’t have chance’ and now that they see I do have a chance they are coming on board because I am much more of a traditional Democrat than Andrew Cuomo,” Teachout said.
Cuomo is not one for retail campaigning, avoiding the political rituals of shaking hands and talking to voters as much as possible. He ran into trouble for refusing to debate Teachout and for dismissing the importance of debates in general.
“I’ve been in many debates that I think were a disservice to democracy,” said Cuomo.
Comedian Randy Credico is also running in the Democratic primary.
The real challenge for Cuomo though may be further down the ticket. His pick for lieutenant governor, former Western New York Congresswoman Kathy Hochul, is being challenged by Tim Wu, a Columbia Law School professor.
At the Labor Day Parade in Manhattan on Saturday, Cuomo’s campaign manager Joe Percoco, acted as a human shield, keeping Wu away from the governor.
Cuomo has been publicly dismissive of Wu’s bid.
More than two dozen incumbent lawmakers are also facing primary challenges today. And they include two state senators who are currently under federal indictment.
State Sen. Malcolm Smith is up against Leroy Comrie in the race for the 14th district in southeast Queens.
Smith is facing charges of trying to bribe his way onto the mayoral ballot last year.
His previous trial ended in a mistrial, and he is set to be tried again in January.
State Sen. John Sampson of Brooklyn is looking to hold onto his seat representing the 19th district in Brooklyn.
He’s being challenged by Dell Smitherman and Sean Henry.
Sampson is accused of embezzling nearly half a million dollars and funneling money into his failed bid for Brooklyn District Attorney.
In the 11th district in Queens, State Sen. Tony Avella is facing a challenge from former City Councilman, Comptroller and mayoral candidate John Liu.
And in the Bronx, Senate co-leader Jeff Klein is battling former State Attorney General Oliver Koppell for the right to represent the 34th District.
For more information, call the city Board of Elections hotline at 1-866-VOTE NYC or go to the board’s website,vote.nyc.ny.us.
NY1 will have reports throughout the day and will have full primary night coverage, beginning with Inside City Hall at 7 p.m.
Follow NY1 on Twitter for updates throughout the day @ny1.
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