Cuomo holds off progressive challenge

Gov. Andrew Cuomo cruised to a primary win Thursday night, defeating actress and education advocate Cynthia Nixon.

With registered Democrats outnumbering Republicans more than 2 to 1 in New York, the two-term governor becomes the automatic front-runner in November's matchup against Republican Marc Molinaro and independent former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner.

 

 

In his two terms in office, the governor often points to the passage of same-sex marriage and the SAFE Act as two major victories of his administration. The latter has faced criticism throughout upstate New York, with opponents calling for a repeal, nullification or reform of the controversial law.

Cuomo, who always led in the polls and outspent his rival more than 8 to 1, seldom mentioned Nixon by name during an often-nasty campaign, but rather President Donald Trump. He threatened litigation if the federal government ends the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program for undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. as children. He has also denounced the Republican-passed federal tax overhaul.

With a big campaign war chest, Cuomo had been rumored to eye a presidential run in 2020, but in his only debate with Nixon, he said he will not run for the White House in the next election, if elected to a third term as governor.

James takes Dem line in AG race

Letitia James beat out three other Democrats Thursday to win a primary in the race for attorney general.

James now faces Republican Keith Wofford in November. New York voters haven’t elected a Republican to be the state’s top lawyer since Dennis Vacco in 1994.

 

 

New York's attorney general is seen as one of the top legal positions in the country, especially given the office's numerous legal challenges to the Trump Foundation and administration. This year's campaign was supposed to be a home run for Eric Schneiderman, the 63-year-old Democrat who made headlines for going after Wall Street head honchos, big banks and Trump. But, he abruptly resigned in May after multiple women accused him of physical assault.

James, 59, would become the first black woman to hold a statewide elected office in New York if she prevails in the general election, where she will be heavily favored. 

James has been endorsed by Gov. Cuomo and much of the state’s Democratic Party establishment.

Hochul does her part in LG Democratic primary

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul defeated Jumaane Williams in a tight race in the lieutenant governor Democratic primary Thursday night.

That puts Hochul in line to face Republican Julie Killian in November.

Hochul, a former one-term congresswoman from Western New York, is running for a second term as lieutenant governor, after she replaced Robert Duffy on the Democratic ticket in 2014.

Williams and Hochul spared in their only debate, which aired only in Manhattan, over Hochul's relationship with the governor and Williams' transparency during the campaign.