Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – September 18, 2018

What’s Inside

  • Governor Cuomo Easily Wins Democratic Primary
  • James Wins Democratic Primary for Attorney General
  • Hochul Beats Williams in Lt. Governor’s Race
  • Insurgents Overwhelm Incumbents in Democratic State Senate Primaries
  • Few Surprises in Assembly Primaries
  • Governor Directs DEC to Phase Out Use of Hydrofluorocarbons
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

Governor Cuomo Easily Wins Democratic Primary

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, seeking a third term in that office, easily defeated actor and first-time candidate Cynthia Nixon, 65 percent to 34 percent. Nixon characterized her candidacy as a battle over the direction of the Democratic Party in New York State.  But her brand of progressivism – while she forced the Governor to move left on some issues – ultimately lost out to the Governor’s overwhelming support from the Democratic Party establishment.

The Governor now faces Republican Marc Molinaro, who serves as Dutchess County Executive, in November.

For now, Cynthia Nixon remains on the November ballot as the candidate of the Working Families Party (WFP).  However, it is possible that she and her Lt. Gov. running mate Jumaane Williams could be replaced by Gov. Cuomo and running mate Kathy Hochul on the WFP line.

The other noteworthy aspect of Tuesday’s voting was the high voter turnout.  Democratic voter turnout more than doubled over 2014, the last time a gubernatorial primary was on the ballot. Democrats see the increase in voter turnout as a promising sign as they try to regain control of the State Senate and flip U.S. House seats in November.

(Read some primary election takeaways from the New York Times and Gannett.]

James Wins Democratic Primary for Attorney General

Letitia “Tish” James, the New York City Public Advocate, won the four-way Democratic primary for state Attorney General.  She won with 39.7 percent of the vote, defeating law professor Zephyr Teachout (29.5 percent); Hudson Valley Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (23.8 percent) and Verizon executive Leecia Eve (3.9 percent).

Given the Democrat’s overwhelming enrollment advantage in the state, James will be heavily favored in November’s general election over her Republican opponent, Keith Wofford.

Hochul Beats Williams in Lt. Governor’s Race

In the race for lieutenant governor, incumbent Kathy Hochul beat back a strong challenge by New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams, 48.4 percent to 42.3 percent.

As Lt. Governor for the past four years under Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Hochul has played a ceremonial role under Mr. Cuomo, pressing and amplifying his message.

Hochul, an Erie County resident, brings some geographic diversity to the Democrat’s statewide ticket.  All of their other candidates reside in the New York City region.

Insurgents Overwhelm Incumbents in Democratic State Senate Primaries

While insurgent Democratic candidates did not win their respective races for Governor, Lt. Governor or Attorney General, they won a number of victories in State Senate races.  Six of the eight former members of the now-defunct Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) lost their primary races.  In addition, Senator Martin Dilan, viewed as a representative of the Brooklyn Democratic machine, also lost. The only two IDC members to survive were Sens. David Carlucci of Rockland County and Diane Savino of Staten Island.

In Senate District 11 (Queens), former New York City Comptroller John Liu defeated incumbent Democrat and former IDC member Tony Avella, 50.7 percent to 45.3 percent.

In SD 13 (Queens), former de Blasio staffer Jessica Ramos defeated incumbent Democrat and former IDC member Jose Peralta, 50.7 percent to 41.7 percent.

In SD 17 (Brooklyn), Simcha Felder defeated Blake Morris 63.3 percent to 32.7 percent. Felder is a Democrat who has caucused with the Republicans in Albany.

In SD 18 (Brooklyn), Democratic Socialist Julia Salazar defeated incumbent Democrat Martin Malave Dilan, 54.1 percent to 38.8 percent.

In SD 20 (Brooklyn), lawyer and activist Zellnor Myrie defeated incumbent Democrat and former IDC member Jesse Hamilton, 51.3 percent to 43.4 percent.

In SD 22 (Brooklyn), Andrew Gounardes, general counsel to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams easily defeated journalist Ross Barkan. Gounardes will face Republican Senator Martin Golden in November.

In SD 23 (Staten Island/Brooklyn) – incumbent Democrat and former IDC member Diane Savino easily defeated challenger Jasmine Robinson.

In SD 31 (Manhattan), former New York City Council member Robert Jackson defeated incumbent Democrat and former IDC member Marisol Alcantara, 52.9 percent to 36.4 percent.

In SD 34 (Bronx/Westchester), former Cuomo staffer Alesandra Biaggi defeated incumbent Democrat and former IDC leader Jeff Klein, 53.1 percent to 44.5 percent.

In SD 38 (Rockland/Westchester), incumbent Democrat and former IDC member David Carlucci defeated Julie Goldberg, 51.7 percent to 44.2 percent.

In SD 53 (Central NY), Democratic challenger Rachel May appears to have defeated incumbent Democrat and former IDC member David Valesky. She holds a 606 vote lead, but as of this writing she has not yet declared victory and Valesky not conceded. The winner will face Republican Janet Burman in November.

Few Surprises in Assembly Primaries

There were not many competitive Assembly primary races.  Noteworthy races include the following:

In Nassau County’s 18th Assembly District, Taylor Raynor defeated 30-year incumbent Earlene Hooper. Raynor earned her Master’s degree in industrial psychology from Hofstra University.

In the 39th AD in Queens, Catalina Cruz defeated incumbent Ari Espinal.  Cruz, an attorney, most recently served as the Chief of Staff to the New York City Council Finance Chair

In Staten Island’s A61st AD , Charles Fall won the race to replace fellow Democrat Matt Titone, who is running for a judgeship.

In the AD 122nd AD in the Southern Tier, incumbent Republican Cliff Crouch overwhelmingly defeated Nick Libous, son of former State Senator Tom Libous.

In the 133rd AD, which includes parts of Monroe, Livingston and Steuben counties, Marjorie Byrnes defeated incumbent Republican Joe Errigo, 61.1 percent to 36.9 percent.

In Monroe County’s 136th AD, Jamie Romeo won the Democratic primary to replace fellow Democrat Joe Morelle, who is running for Congress.

Governor Directs DEC to Phase Out Use of Hydrofluorocarbons

Last week, Gov. Cuomo announced that he has direct the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to promulgate regulations to phase out the use of hydrofluorocarbons, a group of greenhouse gas pollutants used in a variety of applications.

The regulations would prohibit specific substances being used in new consumer products, new equipment and equipment that is retrofitted after the compliance dates, including aerosol propellants, commercial and residential food refrigeration equipment, commercial air-conditioning equipment, light-duty vehicle air-conditioning and foam-blowing agents. The phase out would be implemented from 2020-2024. DEC will be seeking input on this proposal prior to proceeding with a formal rulemaking, with the intent of finalizing a rule in 2019.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“While the Trump administration denies climate change and rolls back efforts to protect our planet, New York is picking up the mantle of climate leadership and forging a path forward.  We are taking action to begin the phase out of the use of hydrofluorocarbons, and I encourage other states to join with New York and California to combat dangerous HFCs. In New York we believe denial is not a life strategy, and we will continue to fight climate change to protect our economy, our planet and our future.”

Political Update

Poll:  Faso, Delgado Running Neck and Neck

A Monmouth University poll released last week shows first-term Republican Congressman John Faso in a tight race with Democratic attorney and former hip-hop performer Antonio Delgado in New York’s 19th Congressional District.

The poll shows Delgado at 45 percent and Faso at 43 percent of all potential voters – voters who have participated in an election since 2010 or have newly registered to vote.  Nine percent are undecided.

Republican Attorney General Candidate Keith Wofford Releases First TV Ad

Keith Wofford, GOP candidate for state Attorney General, released his first television ad this week. The ad, which is part of a $3.25M statewide TV ad buy, is intended to introduce the little-known Wofford to voters.  Currently a Manhattan corporate lawyer, the ad highlights his Buffalo.

In a statement following Letitia James’ Democratic primary win, Wofford said:

“Unlike my opponent, I’ve spent the last two decades in the private sector practicing law at the highest level.  I’m an independent political outsider who knows how to get results, and I’m ready to put my legal skills to work for the people of New York State.”

Winners & Losers

Each week, City & State New York publishes a list of the week’s political “winners” and “losers.”  Read last week’s list here.

Coming Up

The state Board of Regents holds its next meeting on September 17 and 18.

Gov. Cuomo’s Regulated Marijuana Workgroup, which is drafting legislation for an adult-use marijuana program for the Legislature to consider in 2019, is holding ‘listening sessions’ on September 17 in the Bronx and on September 20 in Manhattan. Register to participate in a session here.

On September 26, the Assembly Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts, and Sports Development and Subcommittee on Museums & Cultural Institutions are holding a public hearing in Manhattan “to examine the impact New York’s artistic and cultural institutions have on the economy of the State.”

The state Board of Elections holds its next meeting on September 26.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on October 18.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on October 30.

Election Day is Tuesday, November. 6.