New York Democrats are now returning from their convention in Chicago with wind in their sails, but some are still proceeding with caution.

Throughout the week, party leaders urged fellow Democrats not to take the election for granted: warning that November’s results could be tight.

“There are only 76 days left. We must continue to speak up. We must continue to show up,” Democratic U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on August 21.

Before he backed Kamala Harris for his job in July, President Joe Biden’s poor debate performance rattled the party, especially in blue New York.

Harris’ ascension to the top of the ticket boosted her numbers, according to recent national surveys.

“Take some time to help out in those five or seven states. It could come down, literally, to a handful of votes. Listen to President Obama last night. This election is still going to be close,” State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said during a New York delegate breakfast on August 21.

“If you’re talking about the politics of joy, almost two-thirds of New York State are not experiencing that joy. They’ve got the problem that inflation has outrun their wages and their paychecks are worth 5%-15% less, and they are hurting,” Ed Cox, the New York State Republican Party Chairman, said.

Democrats are eying two GOP freshmen on Long Island: Nick LaLota and Anthony D’Esposito.
Both are labeled as competitive races by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.

Recent area-specific polling shows more Long Islanders have an unfavorable opinion of Kamala Harris. When asked who they would vote for if the election was today, more voters picked Trump.

“We’re the party talking about change, the need for two-party government in New York. And the need for a new government in Washington,” Cox said.

Now, experts think controlling the U.S. House of Representatives could run through New York. Nancy Pelosi, the former Democratic Speaker of the House, appeared to blame Gov. Kathy Hochul for the current GOP control during a Politico/CNN interview on Thursday.

“Five seats in New York,” Pelosi said, when asked how many congressional seats were lost to Republicans in 2022.

“Yeah, what happened in New York last time, do you think?” the moderator asked.

“Well, I think it related to the gubernatorial race,” Pelosi answered.

“The governor’s race, yeah. Have you spoken with Governor Hochul to make sure, this time around, you’re in better shape?” the moderator asked.

“No, I’ve spoken to the future Speaker Hakeem Jeffries,” Pelosi said.

Ed Cox told NY1 that Pelosi is “putting pressure on Governor Hochul.”

“You didn’t perform in 2022, now you have to perform, get your act together. That’s what she’s saying. I don’t think it’s gonna do any good,” Cox said.

Meanwhile, Hochul said she disagreed with Pelosi’s assessment Friday during an interview on MSNBC.

“I know how to do this and now have the chance to focus, I’m not a candidate this year myself, so I can laser-focus on these races: Hudson Valley, Syracuse area, Central New York, all the way to the tip of Long Island. And we’re going to win these races and win strong,” she said.

The state party has raised millions for Democrats, is hiring volunteers and is setting up at least 35 campaign offices in New York’s battleground districts.