News & Politics
Live blog: 2026 primary day in New York
A nice and humid referendum on the power of the left and the clout of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Primary Day 2026 is upon us. McDoculus/Getty Images
Voters are weird. They do things like vote for Donald Trump, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Zohran Mamdani. They fixate on the endorsement of one City Council member. Or they go from being completely committed to Mamdani in the summer of 2025 to not even realizing there’s an election in 2026. All this to say, their behavior is hard to predict. But all across New York, they’re the ones deciding races today, before the polls close at 9 p.m. So join us as we track and react to the candidates and voters on this steamy 2026 primary election day.
8:30 a.m. - Park Slopers evaluate their Congress member
Former Bloomberg press secretary Jennifer Falk greeted voters outside William Alexander Middle School in Park Slope. She was handing out lit for Rep. Dan Goldman, who she said was more equipped than Brad Lander to handle federal policy. A voter approached her and said "tell Dan to kick Brad's butt," and called Lander a "self-hating Jew." Leaving the poll site was Lawson Shadburn, who said he voted for Lander in part because "I'm a concerned Jew who's very worried about how U.S. policy towards Israel and Israel's behavior is not good for Israel or for Jews." - Holly Pretsky
8:15 a.m. - Brooklyn Dems get an early start
The streets of Crown Heights were pretty quiet this morning – perhaps in part due to the misty, gloomy weather – but the Brooklyn Dems are already out in full force. Across the street from a poll site on Nostrand Avenue and Prospect Place, a canvasser who signed up knowing she’d get paid for her efforts handed out palm cards encouraging residents to “vote for real Democrats.” The slate included all incumbents: Rep. Yvette Clarke, Assembly Member Brian Cunningham, State Committee Members Michelle Tégé and Anthony Beckford, plus Brooklyn Dems leader Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn’s pick for civil court judge, Michelle DeSouza.
Pretty quiet at the polls walking around Crown Heights this morning so far, but Kings County Dems are already out and about. Just spoke to a paid canvasser who was wearing a Tégé for DL shirt and handing out this pic.twitter.com/RuRwGkoHgW
— Sophie Krichevsky (she/her/hers) (@skrichev13) June 23, 2026
The Brooklyn Dems have been pushing hard to reelect their sitting district leaders here in Assembly District 43, sending out numerous mailers, handing out flyers and even sending text blasts in recent weeks. It comes as Bichotte Hermelyn looks to defend her chairship – and the Democratic machine – from reformers like the New Kings Democrats. There are 10 contested DL races across the borough, and the outcomes could determine who leads the party. – Sophie Krichevsky
6 a.m. – Top congressional races
This year’s congressional races are not just about a changing of the guard. They’re also a test of whether there will be significant coattails following New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s historic victory. Will his endorsement win elections? And will the Democratic Socialists of America – and its army of energized organizers, volunteers and followers – turn out again in strong numbers? Here are the 2026 NYC congressional races to watch.
6 a.m. – Polls open
There’s sure to be a changing of the guard in Albany come January, but less certain is exactly what that will look like. Many of these races are in New York City, but there are plenty throughout the state too. While some races pit establishment Democrats against the left, others pit the left against the far left. And affordability will continue to be a major theme across the board. Here are the 2026 state legislative primary races to watch.