Due to redistricting and several retirements, there were many high-profile primaries across the state that attracted a lot of media attention and outside spending. In Congressional races, Republicans Nick Lalota (NY-1), Andrew Garbarino (NY-2), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Brandon Williams (NY-22), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), and Claudia Tenney (NY-24) won their primaries. On the Democratic side of the aisle, Robert Zimmerman (NY-3), Lauren Gillen (NY-4), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Max Rose (NY-11), Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-17), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Josh Riley (NY-19), Matt Castelli (NY-21), and Francis Conole (NY-22) were all successful in their primary runs. There was also a special election in Congressional Districts 19 and 23. Democrat Pat Ryan defeated Republican Marc Molinaro in the NY-19 special election 51% to 49% with about 3,000 votes separating the two candidates. Republican Joseph Sempolinski ran against Democrat Max Della Pia in the NY-23 special election. Sempolinski only ran as a placeholder to serve out the remainder of former Congressman Reed’s term and won 53%-46%.
In the New York State Senate, several Democrat and Republican incumbents faced challenges in the primary. All of the incumbents won reelection and will go on to the general election in November. The majority of incumbent Democrats were challenged by candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and/or the Working Families Party, which has been a growing trend the last few election cycles. The incumbent Democrats’ victories were celebrated as by the party establishment and moderate candidates.
Campaigns will now turn their attention to the general election on November 8th. Early voting will take place from October 29th to November 6th. For more information, visit https://www.elections.ny.gov/. NFIB will be distributing a voter guide to all members with the election information, as well as endorsed candidates, in advance of November 8th.
