New York legislators — who have yet to finalize a state budget — are also gearing up for reelection bids this year.
There are a handful of competitive primary races for open seats spurred by a mix of retirements and bids for higher office.
Several incumbents are also facing competitive races, forcing them to defend their seats.
“There’s a lot of things happening all at the same time. Some of it is normal, there’s the churn of, this job is a grind, or this isn’t what I wanted,” said Liz Benjamin, the managing director at Marathon Strategies.
In the state Senate, longtime Democratic Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, representing parts of Astoria, Sunnyside, Elmhurst and Maspeth, isn’t seeking reelection to the 12th district.
“Other things start to look good when you feel like you are constantly at war with one another and maybe not getting anywhere, oh, and also taking grief from the advocates and taking grief from your constituents,” said Benjamin.
There are open seats in Manhattan Assembly districts 65, 66, 69 and 73, and some incumbent Democrats are running — just not for reelection to their old seats.
Micah Lasher and Alex Bores are facing off to be the next congressional representative in New York’s 12th congressional district.
Assemblywoman Grace Lee wants the state Senate seat vacated by outgoing Housing Chair Brian Kavanagh, representing Lower Manhattan’s 27th district, covering Tribeca, Chinatown and the East Village.
“The challenge for anyone running this year is how do you break through the noise? And it can’t just be with an onslaught of money; it’s got to be the message,” said political consultant and former Democratic state Sen. David Carlucci.
“The candidates today know they have to be different,” he added.
In Queens, Assembly seats are up for grabs after longtime Democratic Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer-Amato and Vivian Cook announced their exits. But Steven Raga, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas and Claire Valdez are running for higher office.
Also facing primaries are state Sens. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, of Staten Island and Brooklyn, and Jessica Ramos in District 13, covering parts of Jackson Heights, Elmhurst and Corona.
The powerful Labor Committee Chair’s primary is from Gonzalez-Rojas — an ally of the mayor, who could be up for his endorsement, NY1 has learned.
“No voter would say they want a professional politician, but when you really think about it, we do want politicians to know what they’re doing and how to get resources to the district,” said Carlucci.
Some Democrats might be hoping for some help from Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was able to bring out new voters last year.
It could complicate races for moderate Democrats whom Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is keen to defend.
“In this climate where people want change, they want fresh ideas, if you’ve been in Albany the past ten, 20 years, you’ve got to have a message that resonates with this electorate,” said Carlucci.
In Harlem’s 70th State Assembly district, freshman lawmaker Jordan Wright is being forced to defend his seat from Democratic-Socialist endorsed Conrad Blackburn. Queens Democrat and longtime Eric Adams ally Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar faces a challenge from DSA-backed David Orkin for District 38, covering Glendale, Richmond Hill and Woodhaven.
“There’s a lot of unrest in the Democratic Party, even though the Democrats and this is more on the federal side, the Democratic base is not thrilled with the way the party is going,” said Benjamin.
The primary is set for June 23, but early voting kicks off on Saturday, June 13.
