The November ballot races were determined Tuesday as primaries were held across New York.
In New York State’s Senatorial primary Republican Wendy Long defeated U.S. Representative Bob Turner and Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos. Long had 51 percent of the vote and won every upstate county. She moves on to face incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand in the general election. There were a number of Congressional primaries. New York Congressman Charles Rangel narrowly defeated his closest challenger despite an ethics scandal and a newly drawn 16th district. In the new 18th Congressional District, the 5-way Democratic primary was won by Sean Patrick Maloney. He will face incumbent Republican Nan Hayworth. In the new 19th District Julian Schreibman easily defeated Joel Tyner by 59 to 41 percent. Joel Tyner says it’s critical that his primary opponent defeat incumbent Republican Chris Gibson.
Gibson, who did not face a primary challenge, says his challenger lacks vision and direction.
New York’s new 21st Congressional District is one of the largest, geographically, in the country. In his last race for Congress, Republican Matt Doheny lost after a primary challenger ran as an independent forcing a three way general election. This time Doheny handily defeated Kellie Greene in the primary and sees clear sailing in his second attempt to defeat Incumbent Democrat Bill Owens.
Tuesday’s primary was also notable for low turnout. In Congressman Rangle’s new district, the New York Times is reporting about 12.6 percent of eligible voters went to the polls and is also reporting confusion over the re-drawn districts.
