With a sweeping majority across New York State, Kathy Hochul has won the Democratic primary for governor. Her opponents were Democrat Thomas Suozzi and Working Families candidate Jumaane Williams. Williams won the Working Families primary. Hochul will face Williams and Republican candidate Lee Zeldin in November’s election. Zeldin’s opponents were Andrew Giuliani, Rob Astorino, and Harry Wilson.
In the race for Lieutenant Governor, Democratic candidate Antonio Delgado was victorious. Delgado’s opponents were Diana Reyna and Working Families candidate Ana María Archila. Archila won the Working Families Primary without contest. In November, Delgado will run against Republican candidate Alison Esposito as well as Archila.
Since Andrew Cuomo’s resignation in 2021, Hochul has served as interim New York State Governor. She made history as New York State’s first female governor. Her opponent, Zeldin, is a United States Representative of Eastern Long Island. He has made significant monetary contributions to fight the opioid and heroin crisis, among other efforts. Williams is a New York City Public Advocate who seeks equity in areas like housing, healthcare, and childcare.
Delgado is the current Lieutenant Governor, appointed by Hochul in 2022. One of his interests is to invest in communities hit hard by the pandemic, including rural towns. His opponent, Archila, supports immigrant families, green energy, and the working class on her own website. Their opponent, Esposito, serves as a police officer in the New York Police Department. On her campaign website, Espotio makes her opposition to anti-police movements and bail reform clear.
Hot topics for this upcoming election include abortion rights and gun control. Recently, the Supreme Court made the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. This leaves abortion laws in the hands of each state. Also, the Supreme Court has dismantled New York’s concealed carry law. New Yorkers no longer need an approved reason to carry a firearm in public.
NPR Reporter Ximena Bustillo described New York’s role in these important topics. Bustillo explains that Hochul has initiated gas-tax relief and gun-control and abortion-access protection. During her time as governor, Hochul tweeted that “abortion will always be safe & accessible in New York.”
Queens College students discussed the importance of the primary voting system. Sophomore Omar Ahmed said, “It’s where we decide whether we’re going to stick to incumbents and
established candidates or elect someone with an entirely different vision.” Senior Juan Javier Arcenas said, “I already voted and got my mom and brother to vote in them for the first time.”
Local polling sites and access can be found using https://vote.nyc/. Alternatively, students can call the information hotline at 1-866-Vote-NYC. Information on registering to vote and verifying voter status can be found at https://www.vote411.org/. New York State’s next primary election for the U.S. House of Representatives and State Senate is on Aug. 23, while the General Election for New York State officials is on Nov. 8.. Early voting is available for both elections.
