New Yorkers are voting on Tuesday, but what is – and what is not – on their ballots has caused some confusion and contributed to what is expected to be a low turnout in the primary. To begin with, here is what will be decided today: The Democratic and Republican candidates for governor. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who stepped down after the resignation of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo last year, is expected to overcome challenges from progressive New York ombudsman Jumaane Williams and New York ombudsman Tom Suozzi, who attacked Hoch with hard- message about crime. The race for the vice-captain was more competitive and – as two of the last three people elected to the position ended up in the top position – it is worth watching closely. Former New York MP Antonio Delgado, who left the Capitol after being elected by Hotsul to replace her first choice, now former Deputy Prime Minister Brian Benjamin, who resigned after allegations of corruption, is the narrow favorite. But he faces a serious progressive challenger in Ana María Archila, who was recruited to lead the Working Families Party. Former New York City council member Diana Reyna, Suozzi’s candidate partner, is also in the mix. On the Republican side, four candidates are running for governor. It is not just a formal process – the state has a history of Republican elections. MP Lee Zeldin is the leader and elected candidate of the state party of the GOP, but he faces serious opposition from three other candidates. Among them: Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. former Westchester County executive Rob Astorino. and businessman Harry Wilson. (Giuliani is considered the most likely of the bunch to scare Zeldin on Tuesday night.) The state assembly will also hold its qualifiers on Tuesday. The full body, 150 seats, will be on the ballot in the fall. There are a number of controversial seats in the Democrat-controlled body, but many incumbents run unopposed. However, the incumbent MP with the highest profile tonight is the leader of the majority of the Senate, Chuck Sumer. Despite rumors of a challenge from the left for more than a year, none came to fruition. That brings us to what is not on the ballot: races for the US House. None of them. A long and chaotic redistribution process effectively pushed back the congressional and state Senate by-elections. However, it may be worth the wait: The new frontiers have created a handful of crowded, competitive battles between prominent New York politicians who were forced into a game of musical chairs that did not end until late May. These elections are scheduled for August 23.
