Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

Governor 2022

Governor 2022

  • Voter Turnout in New York Gubernatorial Primary Drops Sharply from 2018 Surge

    Voter turnout back down (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)


    Voter turnout in New York City and State declined dramatically – by nearly half – from the 2018 Democratic primary for governor to the one that closed on Tuesday. 

    In the race for the party's nomination, Governor Kathy Hochul won – by a wide margin – with close to the same number of votes Cynthia Nixon received in 2018 when she lost the Democratic nomination to incumbent governor Andrew Cuomo by a wide margin. The turnout this month was closer to

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  • Max Politics Podcast: Breaking Down the Results of Statewide and Assembly Primary Elections

    Voting 2022 (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)


    June 29, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: Breaking Down the Results for Statewide and Assembly Primary Elections

    Jeff Coltin, senior reporter at City & State NY, joined the show to break down the results of the June 2022 New York primary elections for statewide and Assembly races.

    Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think, on Twitter @TweetBenMax. You can listen to the show through the embedded audio below or download the

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  • Lee Zeldin Wins Republican Nomination for New York Governor

    Lee Zeldin, center, on the campaign trail (photo: Zeldin campaign)


    U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, who represents New York’s 1st District on Long Island, won the Republican nomination for governor on Tuesday. Zeldin appeared headed to a fairly wide margin of victory in a highly competitive race, defeating three opponents in the primary: businessman Harry Wilson, former Trump White House aide Andrew Giuliani, and former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who was the 2014 Republican nominee for governor.

    The race was called by Spectrum News on Tuesday night around 10:30 p.m. as Zeldin's margin

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  • Kathy Hochul Wins Democratic Nomination for New York Governor

    Gov. Kathy Hochul (photo: Don Pollard/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)


    Governor Kathy Hochul emerged victorious in the Democratic primary Tuesday, handily defeating her challengers, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi of Long Island and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. The race was called by the Associated Press shortly after polls closed at 9 p.m. as Hochul's wide margin quickly emerged.

    New York’s first female governor, Hochul ascended to the position from Lieutenant Governor upon then-Governor Andrew Cuomo’s August 2021 resignation and she is attempting to win her first term as the

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  • What is Jumaane Williams' Gubernatorial Campaign Platform?

    Jumaane Williams (photo: @JumaaneWilliams)


    Jumaane Williams is running alone in the left lane of the Democratic primary for governor, with voting set to conclude on Tuesday, June 28.

    Williams, the New York City public advocate, is facing Governor Kathy Hochul, who is seeking her first elected term as the state’s chief executive, and Rep. Tom Suozzi of Long Island.

    A former City Council member from Brooklyn, Williams has long called himself an “activist elected official’ and has had a

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  • Supreme Court Rulings Put Gun Control and Abortion at Center of New York Elections

    A rally in support of abortion rights (photo: Mike Groll/Governor's Office)


    The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority issued two major rulings this past week, overturning Roe v. Wade federal abortion rights and striking down a New York State law that limited the concealed carrying of firearms. Both judgements have sprawling national implications, including as this year’s elections will decide control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, with several swing races here in New York.

    The decisions have also brought abortion rights and gun control to the forefront in the middle of a

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  • What is Kathy Hochul's Gubernatorial Campaign Platform?

    Gov. Hochul (photo: Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)


    Governor Kathy Hochul is running in this year’s election, including this month’s Democratic primary, to win a first full term in the job she ascended to in August of last year. Hochul is seeking more time to fulfill promises she has made throughout her many months in office thus far and as she asks New Yorkers for their votes.

    Since she took office last August after the resignation of disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo, the state's first female governor has staked her early tenure on transforming the culture of Albany

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  • Republican Gubernatorial Primary Debates Rife with Misinformation about 2020 Election, January 6 Insurrection, Covid, and More

    Republican primary debate in race for NY Governor (photo: pool)


    The four Republican candidates running for governor have faced off in three debates ahead of the June 28 primary, each attempting to set themselves apart from the others and from the Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul, who they want to replace. But in their appeals to the party faithful, three of the candidates have indulged in misinformation, half-truths, and outright lies about the 2020 presidential election, the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol insurrection, the covid vaccine, criminal justice reforms in

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  • Max Politics Podcast: Harry Wilson's Closing Argument in the Republican Primary for Governor

    Harry Wilson (photo: @harrywilson)


    June 24, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: Harry Wilson's Closing Argument in the Republican Primary for Governor

    Harry Wilson, a businessman running for the Republican nomination for New York Governor in this year's election, joined the show to discuss his campaign, the state of the race, and his closing argument for GOP primary voters. Wilson outlined some of his business experience, lessons from his 2010 run for Comptroller, how he's talking about electability on the campaign trail, what separates him from his opponents, and

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  • What is Tom Suozzi's Gubernatorial Campaign Platform?

    Tom Suozzi outside a debate (photo: @Tom_Suozzi)


    U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi is pitching himself as a “common sense Democrat” as he runs for his party’s gubernatorial nomination in this month’s primary election.

    The third-term Congressman from Long Island, whose district is mostly in Nassau County but includes part of eastern Queens, has been on the attack against his chief rival, Governor Kathy Hochul, as he attempts to corner much of the same moderate Democratic base and overcome the governor's formidable advantages, namely holding the position of governor and an immense fundraising lead. The choice

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  • Democratic and Republican Candidates for Governor Offer Varied Housing Plans

    New York City (photo: Governor's Office)


    New Yorkers are voting this month in the Democratic and Republican primaries for Governor as the state grapples with an affordable housing crisis that has hit downstate regions home to some two-thirds of its population the hardest. The issue has been far more elevated among the three Democratic candidates to lead the state for the next four years, with the four Republican candidates largely ignoring the topic. That trend changed somewhat when Gotham Gazette asked the Republican campaigns about the issue.

    Candidates on both sides of the aisle do

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  • Zeldin the Apparent Favorite But Republican Race for Governor Fluid as Primary Day Nears, Experts Say

    Rob Astorino, Harry Wilson, Lee Zeldin, and Andrew Giuliani (l-r)


    With under a week until primary day, June 28, and early voting underway, Long Island Rep. Lee Zeldin by most measures appears to be the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for New York Governor in this year’s election.

    But some experts suggest that the race remains open and hard to predict.

    Andrew Giuliani, a former Trump aide, lays claim to certain advantages with the GOP primary electorate, including his association

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  • Max Politics Podcast: Jumaane Williams' Closing Argument in Democratic Primary for Governor

     

    Jumaane Williams (photo: WIlliam Alatriste/City Council)


    June 22, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: Jumaane Williams' Closing Argument in Democratic Primary for Governor

    Jumaane Williams, the New York City Public Advocate and a Democratic candidate for Governor in this year's election, joined the show to discuss the state of the race and his campaign with just a few days before primary day, some of his major proposals, make his closing argument to primary voters, and more.

    Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think, on Twitter ...

  • With Early Voting Underway, Republican Candidates for Governor Try to Separate Themselves at Debate

    (l-r) Harry Wilson, Lee Zeldin, Andrew Giuliani, Rob Astorino 


    With early voting underway for the June 28 primary election, the four Republican candidates for Governor of New York faced off on Monday for the second debate of the race, hosted by Spectrum News NY1. It was one of their last opportunities to introduce themselves to voters, outline their priorities, and differentiate themselves from the competition. The candidates are expected to meet again at a debate hosted by Newsmax in Rochester on Tuesday. 

    At Monday’s debate, there was limited daylight on most issues among the four candidates: U.S.

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  • Democratic Candidates for Governor Make Closing Arguments at Final Debate Before Primary

    Jumaane Williams, Kathy Hochul, & Tom Suozzi


    The three Democratic candidates for governor met at the final debate of the race on Thursday night, among their last opportunities to make an impression with voters before early voting begins on Saturday for the June 28 primary. Governor Kathy Hochul, who is running for her first full term, continues to have significant fundraising and polling advantages over her opponents, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

    At Thursday’s debate, hosted by NBC New York, Telemundo, and the Albany Times Union, the candidates covered some of

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  • Where They Stand: Compare Democratic and Republican Candidates for Governor on the Issues

    (l-r) Top: Jumaane Williams, Kathy Hochul, Tom Suozzi; Bottom: Rob Astorino, Harry Wilson, Lee Zeldin, Andrew Giuliani 


    The Democratic and Republican primaries in the race to become the next Governor of New York are fast-approaching, with early voting June 18-26 and primary day June 28. With three Democrats and four Republicans making their cases to voters and so much at stake for the future of the state, it's all the more important to compare where the candidates stand on the issues and what they are promising to do if elected.

    Use the interactive tool below to compare the Democratic or Republican

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  • Republican Candidates for Governor Meet for Fiery Debate

    Rob Astorino, Harry Wilson, Lee Zeldin, and Andrew Giuliani (l-r)


    With early voting for the June 28 primary set to begin on Saturday, the four Republican candidates for governor faced off in the sole debate of the race on Monday. The debate was hosted by CBS2, and moderated by anchor Maurice DuBois and reporter Marcia Kramer.

    Appearing in person at the debate were former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, and businessman Harry Wilson; Andrew Giuliani, a former White House aide and the son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, participated virtually after refusing to

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  • Hochul, Suozzi, and Williams Face Off in Democratic Primary Debate

    Jumaane Williams, Kathy Hochul, & Tom Suozzi


    Governor Kathy Hochul squared off against her Democratic primary opponents, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi of Long Island and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, for the first time in a debate on Tuesday night. The debate, televised on CBS TV and radio, took place three weeks from primary day, June 28, and a few days after Hochul declined a debate last week where Williams and Suozzi faced each other on Spectrum News.

    Hochul, who is

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  • Three Democratic Candidates for Governor Set to Debate as Primary Heads Into Final Weeks

    Jumaane Williams, Kathy Hochul, & Tom Suozzi


    With just three weeks till the June 28 primary, and only eleven days till early voting begins June 18, Governor Kathy Hochul is set to face off Tuesday for the first time on the debate stage against her two Democratic primary opponents, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi of Long Island and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

    The debate, set to air Tuesday at 7 p.m. on CBS television and Newsradio 880, comes a few days after Suozzi and Williams appeared for a debate on Spectrum

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  • Crowded Field Forms for Democratic Primary in New Manhattan-Brooklyn 10th Congressional District

    Bill de Blasio, Yuh-Line Niou, Carlina Rivera, Jo Anne Simon, Mondaire Jones, Daniel S Goldman, Elizabeth Holtzman, Maud Maron


    More than a dozen New York City Democrats are vying to represent the newly redrawn 10th congressional district, which will span much of Lower Manhattan and a large swathe of Brooklyn. The candidate who wins the August primary is expected to win the general election in November given the district is heavily Democratic.

    The reconfigured New York congressional map, approved by a New York Supreme Court judge last month, has shifted district boundaries and political aspirations. Given

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  • Suozzi, Williams Attack Absent Hochul Throughout Democratic Primary Debate

    Jumaane Williams and Tom Suozzi


    At the first debate of this year’s Democratic primary for governor, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi presented a cordial front to one another on Thursday night even as they sought to distinguish their individual political ideologies. The candidates reserved their barbs for Governor Kathy Hochul, who declined to participate in Thursday’s but has agreed to two upcoming debates.

    Over the course of an hour, Williams and Suozzi expressed their similar and differing positions on various issues confronting New York including gun violence, the

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  • ‘Running on the Issues People Care About’: Tom Suozzi Makes His Case for Governor Ahead of June Democratic Primary

    Rep. Tom Suozzi (photo: Suozzi's office)


    As he runs for Governor of New York this year, U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi is offering his experience and approach as a “common sense Democrat” to voters in the fast-approaching primary. Suozzi, of Long Island, argues his more than two decades in elected office, including executive and legislative roles, record of accomplishment, and vision for the future of the state differentiate him from his opponents and demonstrate his ability to follow through on his campaign promises.

    “Every politician says ‘I’m gonna do this, I’m gonna do that’,” said Suozzi, who

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  • WATCH: Rob Astorino on His Run for Governor

    Rob Astorino (photo: Astorino for Governor)


    Rob Astorino, Republican candidate for Governor in the 2022 election, joined host Ben Max on MNN's Decision NYC to discuss his campaign. Astorino, the 2014 Republican nominee for Governor and former Westchester County Executive, is running in the June Republican primary against several other candidates. In the video interview, Astorino discusses his experience, campaign platform, and standing in the primary.

  • Max Politics Podcast: Tom Suozzi on His Run for Governor

    Tom Suozzi is running for Governor; with Lieutenant Governor running-mate Diana Reyna (photo: @Tom_Suozzi)


    May 12, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: Tom Suozzi on His Run for Governor

    Congressman Tom Suozzi joined the show to discuss his run for Governor, in which he's first attempting to win the Democratic primary against Gov. Kathy Hochul and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Suozzi discussed his qualifications for the top job, the pillars of his campaign, why he believes Hochul does not deserve to be elected to the position for a full term, housing, transit, and

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  • The Question Hanging Over the New York GOP Convention: Who Can Win in November?

    NY GOP gubernatorial candidates Lee Zeldin, Andrew Giuliani, Harry Wilson, and Rob Astorino (l-r)


    Optimism reigned at the recent New York Republican Party state convention on Long Island, but tempering the bravado was the fact that this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the last statewide Republican win in the Empire State.

    That drought was widely acknowledged and inspired the remarks of the four major Republican candidates for Governor this year, with each taking the stage at the Garden City Hotel in Nassau County to convince party leaders, members of the media, and others of their electability. While

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