New York’s primary elections are in full swing, and although early voting has already begun, candidates and campaigns are holding no punches as they make their case for candidacy. By Aug. 23, voters are looking to decide who will take over and represent their districts. The newly designed districts pits some political heavyweights against each other in a battle between the progressive wing of the Democratic party and the moderate wing. Here are just a few of the primary elections to look out for:
10th Congressional District
Congressional District 10 poses a new challenge for potential candidates seeking office in New York City. The redistricting laws have moved this district further into Brooklyn, making way for more progressive candidates such as Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou and Representative Mondaire Jones who recently joined forces to conduct a joint presser denouncing the frontrunner Dan Goldman. Councilwoman Carlina Rivera and former District Attorney Elizabeth Holtzman also joined forces to emphasize the importance of electing a female to the House of Representatives in a Post-Roe political landscape. Goldman, former legal counsel who led the charge against former president Donald Trump’s first impeachment, currently leads the charge according to a Pix11 poll; though insiders believe the district is a toss up.
12th Congressional District
New York City’s Congressional District 12 pits two political veterans against each other in an epic battle for Central Park. While Congressman Jerry Nadler and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney are lockstep on most issues, Rep. Maloney touts that there is a need for a high-ranking female voice in Congress, while Rep. Nadler points to the voting record; stating he voted against the Iraq War and the Patriot Act unlike his veteran counterpart. Surej Patel, former Obama White House staffer, is looking to bring a fresh face to the district and has even secured the vote of former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. A recent poll obtained by The New York Post shows Representative Nadler as the current front runner.
17th Congressional District
Five-term Hudson Valley incumbent, Sean Patrick Maloney, is being primaried from the left by State Senator Alessandra Biaggi. Alessandra Biaggi has been a staunch progressive advocate, and her position was solidified after securing an endorsement from Rep. Ocasio-Cortez. Representative Maloney, the current chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, has criticized the progressive movement as being out of touch with the needs of everyday people.
19th Congressional District
In the 19th Congressional District, Democrat Pat Ryan is going up against Republican Marc Molinaro. This special election covers the Capital Region including the University at Albany and its surrounding neighborhoods. This seat was held by current Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, who left the seat in May.
This district was previously Republican until Delgado knocked off first-term Republican John Faso in 2018, and a new poll suggests Molinaro holds a slight advantage.
The GOP have been outspending the Democrats in this district, signaling a sense of urgency to secure as many seats as possible in this new Post-Roe political landscape. This special election is the main one to track to get a sense of what the political landscape will look like in November and the next presidential election in 2024.
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