NYS Democratic Primary Updates
Several NYS municipalities held primaries on Tuesday, June 24th the most noteworthy of which resulted in a primary night concession speech by former New York Govenor Andrew Cuomo to Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani as the winner of the Democratic primary for NYC mayor. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani unexpectedly beat the former Governor by 7 points in the first round of ranked choice voting. Media reports indicate that Cuomo is weighing the feasibility of running as an independent in the general election. The ballot will also include incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who dodged the Democratic primary and will run on an independent line, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal is on pace to win the Democratic primary for Manhattan Borough President and will likely win election to that office in November leaving his longtime NYS Senate seat open.
In Upstate mayoral races, Albany City Auditor Dorcey Applyrs handily won the Democratic primary for Albany Mayor with 52% of the vote. Dan Cerutti, the next closest challenger, had 28% of the vote. Applyrs is positioned to go on to be Albany’s first Black mayor. In Buffalo, State Senator Sean Ryan secured the Democratic nomination with 47% of the vote, beating out acting Mayor Chris Scanlon. However, Scanlon may run on an independent line. Assuming Ryan goes on to win the general election, there will be another vacant seat in the NYS Senate. In Rochester, incumbent Mayor Malik Evans won the nomination with 57% of the vote overcoming Mary Lupien, the next closest challenger. In Syracuse, Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens took the nomination with 62% of the vote. She would be Syracuse’s first Black mayor if she goes on to win the general election.