TWC News: Primary Day Polls Closing ShortlyPlay now
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.
Governor Andrew Cuomo voted this morning in his home district of Mount Kisco, N.Y.
The governor has not done a lot of campaigning ahead of the primary, though he has held a number of events in his official capacity as governor.
Cuomo is expected by many to easily win his primary, but a longshot 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.
Cuomo has refused to mention Teachout's name throughout the campaign, and in one incident this weekend, he appeared to snub Teachout, refusing to shake her hand.
The governor, however, said that that's not the issue, and that what matters is that he's taking the state in the right direction.
'Four years ago, I took office, the state was considered a joke. It was literally a joke on late-night TV,' Cuomo said. 'Gridlock was terrible. We look at Washington now, we see gridlock, we had much, much worse gridlock in Albany. Democrats and Republicans couldn't agree on anything. They couldn't pass a budget. Taxes were out of control. Businesses were leaving the state. And we have turned that around.'
Teachout cast her ballot in Brooklyn this morning.
Her campaign is based on a few key issues. One is opposition to fracking, a controversial method of extracting natural gas. Another is opposition to the governor's economic policies, which critics say are far too conservative. Teachout has also attacked Cuomo for allegedly attempting to influence an anti-corruption commission in Albany.
'We have so much momentum. There is so much excitement about a true, unafraid Democrat with a big vision for New York State. There's excitement for the first woman governor of the state of New York. There's excitement for the first net neutrality lieutenant governor,' Teachout said. 'And in the face of that extraordinary momentum, Andrew Cuomo's been scrambling around calling in his favors.'
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 Rep. Kathy Hochul, is being challenged by Tim Wu, a Columbia Law School professor.
In a primary, state law says the governor and lieutenant governor are not exactly on the same ballot. They can be voted for separately, so Democrats could re-elect Cuomo but choose Wu over Hochul.
Cuomo has been publicly dismissive of Wu's bid.
Cuomo and Hochul are not expected to have any public event together this evening.
Hochul is expected to address supporters at Democratic headquarters in Erie County in Buffalo should she win the primary.
She was in Erie County earlier today to cast her ballot.
Hochul is banking on a big turnout in Western New York. She did serve part of a term in Congress, so presumably, she has a built-in constituency there.
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 Senator 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 $500,000 and funneling money into his failed bid for Brooklyn district attorney.
In the 11th district in Queens, State Senator Tony Avella is facing a challenge from former City Councilman, City Comptroller and mayoral candidate John Liu.
Avella has held his state Senate post since 2010 and is endorsed by Mayor Bill de Blasio.
'I've represented most of this district in the City Council, and I have a hands-on approach, and I think people recognize that I'm always there fighting for them,' Avella said. 'I don't care about political considerations. I do what I think is right.'
When Avella went to vote earlier this morning, his voting machine apparently jammed before he was able to place his vote.
Liu, who also voted this morning, is being endorsed by the State Democratic Party.
'I've got all the members of Congress here in New York City endorsing my campaign. Every single City Council member whose district overlaps my Senate district. Every single Assembly member who overlaps my Senate district,' Liu said.
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.
Posted by Unknown on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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