The 2026 primary season is here, with a ton of moving parts.
- Right now there’s a primary expected in our Congressional district, but also a lawsuit challenging the district lines of a neighboring district that may change our district lines, rearrange the candidates, and/or postpone the primary.
- State Sen. Brian Kavanagh announced that he is not seeking re-election, and two well-known candidates have thrown their hats in to campaign for that seat.
- With Grace Lee now running for that open State Senate seat, there is now an open primary for State Assembly in our district with several first-time candidates.
- One party position representing our Assembly district on the NY State Democratic Committee also has a primary this year.
All this uncertainty affects the timing of our club activities. For the June 23 primary, GSD wants to hear from all candidates, have a discussion among members, and vote on endorsements so that we can participate in petitioning for our endorsed candidates. Our meeting on Feb. 12 with candidates for State Senate and U.S. Congress was the beginning of this process, and we will finish that on Feb. 25 with additional candidates and our endorsement votes.
Statewide primaries
We’ve already participated in a forum for statewide candidates (Governor, Comptroller, and Attorney General) with other downtown Democratic clubs and received statements from some of the candidates. (Watch video below.)
Governor
Gov. Kathy Hochul is seeking a second full term in office. The Lt. Governor, Antonio Delgado, has ended his challenge, so Hochul has a clear path to the Democratic nomination.
| Office | Candidate | Links |
|---|---|---|
| NY Governor | Kathy Hochul (incumbent) | Website |
Comptroller
Tom DiNapoli is facing his first primary challenge since becoming Comptroller nearly 20 years ago.
| Office | Candidate | Links |
|---|---|---|
| NY Comptroller | Tom DiNapoli (incumbent) | Website |
| NY Comptroller | Adem Bunkedekko | Website | Statement |
| NY Comptroller | Raj Goyle | Website |
| NY Comptroller | Drew Warshaw | Website |
Attorney General
Letitia James faces no primary challenge.
| Office | Candidate | Links |
|---|---|---|
| NY Attorney General | Letitia James (incumbent) |
District primaries
We also have contested races in our local districts.
U.S. Congress (NY 10)
Incumbent Dan Goldman faces a primary challenge from Brad Lander and Nickie Kane. We heard from those candidates at our Feb. 12 candidate forum (scroll down to watch video).
| Office | Candidate | Links |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Congress (NY 10) | Dan Goldman (incumbent) | Website | Statement |
| U.S. Congress (NY 10) | Brad Lander | Website | Statement |
| U.S. Congress (NY 10) | Nickie Kane | Website | Statement |
NY State Senate (SD 27)
State Senator Brian Kavanagh is not running for re-election. Assemblymember Grace Lee and former Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou are competing to succeed Kavanagh. Sommer Omar, who spoke at our Feb. 12 meeting, has suspended her campaign. (Scroll down to watch video.)
| Office | Candidate | Links |
|---|---|---|
| NY State Senate (SD 27) | Grace Lee | Statement |
| NY State Senate (SD 27) | Yuh-Line Niou | Statement |
| Statement |
NY State Assembly (AD 65)
With Grace Lee joining the race for State Senate, our Assembly seat also faces an open primary, now with six candidates. (Scroll down to watch video.)
| Office | Candidate | Links |
|---|---|---|
| NY State Assembly (AD 65) | Jasmin Sanchez | Website | Statement |
| NY State Assembly (AD 65) | Mariama James | Website | Statement |
| NY State Assembly (AD 65) | Wei-Li Tjong | Statement |
| NY State Assembly (AD 65) | Jacky Wong | Statement |
| NY State Assembly (AD 65) | Lilah Mejia | Statement |
| NY State Assembly (AD 65) | Illapa Sairitupac | Statement |
NY State Democratic Committee (AD 65)
The state Democratic Committee meets in February to makes nominations for statewide primaries. Each Assembly district gets to elect two representatives to this body, one female and one male. Those seats also are open with some challenges in the works. (Scroll down to watch video.)
| Office | Candidate | Links |
|---|---|---|
| NY State Democratic Committee (AD 65) | Morton Minsley | Statement |
| NY State Democratic Committee (AD 65) | Grauven Olivares | Statement |
| NY State Democratic Committee (AD 65) | Fannie Ip | Statement |
Watch our candidate forums on YouTube
Statewide primaries
All four candidates for NY State Comptroller spoke to GSD and other downtown Democratic clubs in January.
District primaries
Candidates for State Senate, State Democratic Committee, and U.S. Congress joined GSD and 3 Bridges Democratic Club on Feb. 12.
Assembly candidates
All six candidates for State Assembly joined GSD on Feb. 25.