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.

Stalled Legislation

The Legislature concluded its regular legislative session last week. While many bills passed both Houses and await the Governor’s action, there is a slate of key bills which ultimately stalled and are likely to be taken up next session. The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act sponsored by Senator Harckham and Assemblymember Glick (S.1464/A.1749), passed the Senate but failed to be brought to a vote in the Assembly. Controversy around the bill centered on strict statutory deadlines and requirements that would unnecessarily raise costs to consumers and impact the availability and affordability of certain products in New York. Since session concluded earlier this month environmental advocates have been trading public barbs with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie on the lack of action in that House, while he strongly asserts that the bill did not have enough support to be brought to a vote.

The New York For All Act sponsored by Senator Gounardes and Assemblymember Reyes (S.2235/A.3506), would limit City and State engagement with Federal immigration officers unless a judicial warrant has been signed. Despite the timeliness of this legislation given the uptick in immigration raids across the State, this bill failed to make it out of committee in either House.

S.614 by Senator Rivera and A.1008 by Assemblymember Paulin would expedite the enrollment of incarcerated individuals into the Medicaid program before they are released and transitioned to the community. This measure passed the Senate, but did not see any movement on the Assembly side. By not bridging this gap in health insurance coverage for those leaving the correctional system, advocates assert these uninsured individuals will be at greater risk and more likely to reoffend.

Below please find a score card of the total number of bills passed by the Legislature this year.

 

Bills Passed by Both Houses 856

Bills Acted on by the Governor (as of today) 183

Bills Pending Governor’s Review and Action 673