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.
Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani and Jumaane Williams Holly Pretsky
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.
1:01 a.m. - Who won the open seats?
In addition to the onslaught of progressive challengers to sitting incumbents this year, plenty of state Senate and Assembly seats were open for the taking thanks to either retirements or legislators leaving for other offices.
Assembly Member Grace Lee easily bested former Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou to replace the retiring Brian Kavanagh in the state Senate. And DSA’s Aber Kawas defeated Assembly Member Steven Raga in a landslide to take over for state Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris in Queens.
One of the closest races of the night appears to be the contest to replace Raga in the Assembly, with Crowley scion Patrick Martinez holding an incredibly narrow, 13-vote lead over former NYPD officer Shamsul Haque. In a more crowded but much less close race, Nathaniel Hezekiah won the race to replace retiring Assembly Member Vivian Cook with over 50% of the vote against four other opponents in a resounding win for the Queens Democratic Party. Elsewhere in Queens, Brian Romero, a former staffer for incoming state Sen. Jessica González-Rojas easily won her Assembly seat, and Pesach Osina emerged victorious in the primary for retiring Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato’s seat.
And retiring Assembly Member Deborah Glick’s chosen successor Jeannine Kiely wound up winning the crowded lower Manhattan race to replace her.
On Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Eli Northrup defeated Stephanie Ruskay, his second attempt for the seat currently held by the likely soon-to-be member of Congress Micah Lasher. DSA-backed Samantha Kattan easily won the contest to replace fellow socialist Claire Valdez, also expected to head to Congress, in her Queens Assembly District. In even more DSA victories, Illapa Sairitupac won Lee’s lower Manhattan Assembly seat and Adam Bojak emerged victorious to replace Assembly Member Jon Rivera in Erie County. Both sitting members won state Senate primaries tonight. – Rebecca C. Lewis
12:15 a.m. - A bad night for state legislative incumbents
They say if you go for the crown, you best not miss. And Tuesday, challengers to several incumbent Democrats in the state Legislature certainly did not miss.
Whether they were facing DSA challenges or not, a half dozen sitting members of the state Legislature were on pace to lose their reelections – and maybe more. Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas resoundingly defeated state Sen. Jessica Ramos for the Queens seat in the upper chamber, holding a 10 percentage point lead with 98% of scanners reporting. State Sen. Jeremy Zellner also lost his Buffalo district to Assembly Member Jon Rivera by 10 points..
DSA-endorsed David Orkin trounced Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumer by an eye-popping 18 percentage points with 99% of scanners reporting in her Queens district. Fellow socialist Christian Celeste Tate performed even better against Assembly Member Erik Dilan, ending a Brooklyn political dynasty by winning 62% of the vote at the end of the night. And DSA-backed Eon Huntley bested Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman in his second attempt to unseat her in Brooklyn by garnering over 58% of the vote with 95% of scanners reporting.
In a non-DSA race, Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs also fell to former New York City Council Member Diana Ayala in a more crowded race that had her emerging victorious with a little under 52% of the vote.
Even up in Syracuse, where Assembly Member Bill Magnarelli faced his first primary challenge ever, socialist (though not DSA-endorsed) Onondaga County Legislator Maurice Brown held an incredibly narrow, 82-vote lead over the incumbent.
Between the slew of retirements and exits by sitting lawmakers and the results of insurgent challenges tonight, the state Legislature is going to look quite different next year.
But it wasn’t all bleak for the incumbents facing tough challenges. Assembly Member Jordan Wright in Manhattan managed to fend off the DSA-endorsed Conrad Blackburn by a close, but still comfortable 54% to 46% . Blackburn was the lone NYC-DSA state legislative candidate to lose this time around. – Rebecca C. Lewis & Sophie Krichevsky
11:50 p.m. - Too close to call in Syracuse
Fourteen-term Assembly Member Bill Magnarelli is in the fight of his political life in Syracuse, narrowly trailing DSA-backed Onondaga County Legislator Maurice “Mo” Brown.
With 93% of election day votes counted, Brown leads Magnarelli by just 86 votes, 50% to 49%. Magnarelli had easily won early voting and absentee ballots with Brown’s narrow lead coming from a lead in election day votes.
Brown has been backed by Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Syracuse DSA chapter and the New York Working Families Party, along with a slew of progressive organizations in his challenge to Magnarelli. Brown also won an endorsement from state Sen. Rachel May and Syracuse City Auditor Alex Marion.
Magnarelli campaigned heavily on his record and his role as chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, including his role in bringing back state money to the Central New York region and being able to deliver transportation priorities in the region. – John Celock
11:36 p.m. - Norton defeats Livingston in Binghamton
Binghamton attorney Dan Norton has defeated former Binghamton Council Member Dan Livingston in the Democratic primary for an Assembly seat in Broome County.
Norton, who is backed by retiring Assembly Member Donna Lupardo, easily defeated Livingston 59.8% to 39.9%. Livingston was endorsed by Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and a slew of progressive organizations, including the Working Families Party, Tenants PAC and Citizen Action of New York.
Norton played up his Broome County roots, including an immigrant great-grandfather who worked for the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, which was a mainstay of the Binghamton-area economy in the early to mid-20th century and a grandfather who was a Broome County deputy sheriff. Norton is a former president of the Broome County Bar Association and the current board chair of the Tri Cities Opera in Binghamton. Livingston also focused on his personal story including struggles to pay for health care and housing, while covering his student loans, along with his work in a number of progressive causes.
Norton faces Republican Lynn Parker in November. - John Celock
10:45 p.m. – Meng hangs onto her seat
Grace Meng retained her congressional seat in the 6th Congressional District despite receiving a challenge from former Obama diplomat, Chuck Park.
Meng won with 57% of the vote to Park’s 43%.
Park ran on a platform of abolishing ICE, denouncing genocide and rejecting corporate PAC money. This platform is very familiar to voters who elected progressives like AOC, Zohran Mamdani and Claire Valdez in neighboring NY-7, but Park was trying it in a very different district.
Park is not a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. He unsuccessfully solicited an endorsement from the Working Families Party. He previously worked for City Council Member Shekar Krishnan but did receive an endorsement from him.
Meng did not receive any of those endorsements either and has received criticism for supporting the Metropolitan Park casino project.
Park’s platform against the Metropolitan Park casino aligned him with state Sen. Jessica Ramos but the two did not endorse each other. – Fariha Rahman
11:20 p.m. – Jaime Williams wins reelection in south Brooklyn Assembly race
Assembly Member Jaime Williams easily won reelection in her south Brooklyn race against progressive organizer Jibreel Jalloh. The incumbent won with 64% of the vote, according to unofficial election night returns, as opposed to Jalloh’s 33%. Jalloh posed a challenge from the left for the conservative Democrat, who has held the role for nearly a decade, but he ultimately came up short. “I’m extremely thankful for all the amazing men and women that got out and made their voice heard in this primary election," she said. "It has always been an honor to be able to represent our community in the Assembly and I am humbled and proud to have the opportunity to continue fighting for south Brooklyn.” – Amanda Salazar
10:56 p.m. – Rivera defeats Zellner
Assembly Member Jonathan Rivera has defeated state Sen. Jeremy Zellner in the Democratic primary for a Buffalo-area seat.
With 99% of election day returns counted, Rivera has 55% of the vote to Zellner’s 45%, a margin of roughly 1,800 votes. Rivera’s victory marks a big defeat for the powerful Zellner, the Erie County Democratic Committee chair, who had the backing of Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Tim Kennedy and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.
Rivera said that his victory signals a desire that residents of the largely suburban district “want a change” and a region that is “hopeful, inclusive and moving forward.” Rivera was quick to thank the large number of unions that backed his campaign.
“Tonight’s victory is a victory for the thousands of union members, public servants, teachers, tradespeople, healthcare workers and frontline employees who keep Western New York moving every day,” Rivera said in a statement to City & State.
Rivera’s labor coalition included 1199SEIU, UAW, AFL-CIO, CSEA New York and the New York Working Families Party. He also signaled an agenda centered around affordability issues, and said that voters wanted “a new generation of leadership.”
Zellner was elected to the Senate in a February special election to fill the seat left vacant by Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan’s move to City Hall. Zellner was picked by the county party he chairs for the special election, a move Rivera has been critical of. Rivera had made his interest in the Senate seat known since last year.
Rivera’s win comes at the same time as the Erie County Democratic Party backed candidate to succeed Rivera in the Assembly, former Hamburg Council Member Karen Hoak, was defeated in the primary by DSA-backed Buffalo attorney Adam Bojak. – John Celock
NY-21 Republicans choose Constantino, stand with Trump
Northern New York Republicans have spoken, and they’re standing with President Donald Trump over party.
Republicans in the 21st Congressional District on Tuesday decisively chose Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino to be the Republican nominee to replace Rep. Elise Stefanik, with over 59% of the vote as of 11 p.m. with over 85% of election districts reporting results to the state Board of Elections. That’s compared to about 40% of ballots cast for Assembly Member Robert Smullen.
“I think it’s fair to say, I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for President Trump,” Constantino said during his victory speech at Lanzi’s on the Lake in Fulton County. “I saw what he did and I said, ‘Well, I don’t act like a typical politician, either, but he doesn’t. Maybe I can make this work.’”
Trump endorsed Constantino over Smullen, a retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel, who has the backing of the state Republican Party, many local county committees and the seven Republicans in the state’s congressional delegation.
And Stefanik, who stayed silent on endorsing her replacement until tonight, finally backed Constantino after his victory became apparent, posting on X that she’s “seen enough,” adding, “In the coming months, I know Anthony will continue to work hard to earn your support.” Read more here. – Kate Lisa
10:30 p.m. – Who showed up for Darializa?
There didn’t appear to be many elected officials at Darializa Avila Chevalier’s election night party at Sofrito in Hamilton Heights, at least as of roughly an hour and a half after the polls closed. But Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia graduate student who’d been detained by federal immigration agents and is currently fighting deportation, was in attendance as some outlets began calling the race in Avila Chevalier’s favor. Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman was also there. – Sahalie Donaldson
10:30 p.m. – DiNapoli easily wins his first primary challenge in nearly two decades
In a largely expected outcome, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli fended off two opponents challenging him from the left in his first primary since taking office in a landslide victory. But his opponents Drew Warshaw and Raj Goyle still managed to eat into DiNapoli’s margin of victory fairly significantly.
With over about 65% of precincts reporting statewide, DiNapoli led with just under 60% of the vote, per the state Board of Elections unofficial results. Warshaw held at a little under 20% of the vote, while Goyle stood at about 13.5%. The total results included blank votes, where voters did not cast votes in the contest, which accounted for 6.5% of the total ballots cast. Read more here. – Rebecca C. Lewis
10:15 p.m. – Claire wasn’t yet there, but the atmosphere was blissful
The vibes at Claire Valdez’s watch party at 99 Scott in East Williamsburg are incredibly good. The NY-7 race had been expected to be a nail-biter between Valdez and Antonio Reynoso, but instead Valdez won by just over 10 points, her comrade Darializa Avila Chevalier narrowly upset Rep. Adriano Espaillat and NYC-DSA swept almost all down-ballot races.
It feels a lot like a year ago, when Zohran Mamdani unexpectedly won a commanding victory over Andrew Cuomo.
Chants of “DSA! DSA!” and “UAW!” are ringing out, a testament to the coalition that delivered Valdez to victory. Valdez herself and Mamdani are expected to speak later tonight. – Peter Sterne
10:15 p.m. - Cait Conley wins NY-17 primary to take on Lawler
After a vicious primary that pitted the local power players against one another, Army veteran Cait Conley cruised to victory tonight, securing the Democratic nomination for the race to take on Republican Rep. Mike Lawler.
“I’ve gone from the battlefield to the Situation Room when the stakes were life and death, and I sure as hell am not afraid of a lifelong political hack like Mike Lawler,” Conley said in a statement shortly after winning.
The Associated Press called the race for Conley soon after polls closed. With more than half the votes counted, she had 49%, while Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson had 30% and Tarrytown Village Trustee Effie Phillips-Staley had 15%. Read more here. – Timmy Facciola
10:08 p.m. – Reynoso gives concession speech
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso gave his concession speech after 10 p.m. at his election night party at Xanadu Roller Arts in Bushwick, surrounded by his political allies – including Council Members Crystal Hudson, Lincoln Restler, Sandy Nurse and Jennifer Gutierrez – and family.
“Listen, we didn’t win the day this time, but none of our efforts were in vain,” Reynoso said. “Every time we speak with a voter, we let another person know that a better tomorrow is possible, and that is invaluable work.”
His wife stood beside him on stage, barely containing her tears, though Reynoso said his son cried tears of joy in the car ride to the venue, because he was glad his dad wouldn’t be moving to Washington, D.C. The candidate requested that the crowd still have fun, have a few drinks and enjoy the night.
“Regardless of how we feel, there are people in another building celebrating tonight,” he said. “I want you to know that you are a part of that celebration. You are a part of that movement.”
Rep. Nydia Velazquez, Reynoso’s mentor whose impending retirement prompted the hotly contested primary, spoke tearfully, congratulating winner Claire Valdez and saying she was “so proud” of Reynoso.
“I know that tonight wasn’t the result we wanted, but I couldn’t be prouder of Antonio Reynoso,” she said. “Tonight, we have nothing to regret. We left it all on the field.” Read more here about Valdez's win. – Amanda Salazar
10:07 p.m. – Bojak on track to win Assembly seat
DSA-backed attorney Adam Bojak has won the Democratic primary for the Buffalo-area Assembly seat held by departing incumbent Jonathan Rivera.
With 90% of the primary day votes counted, Bojak led former Hamburg Council Member Karen Hoak about 48% to about 35%, a margin of roughly 1,000 votes. Banker Kevin Deese trailed with about 17%.
Bojak’s victory marks a defeat not only for Hoak but for the Erie County Democratic Committee and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, who supported Hoak. It also gives the DSA a state legislative seat in Western New York, building upon their current New York City-dominated delegation. Bojak also built a large labor coalition that included UAW Region 9, the Buffalo Teacher Federation, NYSUT and IBEW Local 2104. The New York Working Families Party endorsed Bojak.
Rivera did not seek reelection to contest a state Senate primary. – John Celock
10:05 p.m. – González-Rojas ousts Ramos
In the tight race between Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas and state Sen. Jessica Ramos, a Jessica has been chosen. González-Rojas won with almost 48% of the vote with 96% of scanners reported. That’s compared to Ramos’ 37% and Hiram Monserrate’s 14.5%, the latter serving as a spoiler.
At the Queensboro in Jackson Heights, the crowd chanted “JGR, JGR” as González-Rojas arrived.
“This is who we are as a community,” JGR spoke to a room full of her supporters. “And this is what turning the page on the ugly days of toxic together to fight for Jackson Heights, for East Elmhurst, for Corona, for LeFrak City, for Rego Park.”
Once allies, González-Rojas’ decision to run for Ramos’ Queens seat created a great divide for the two progressive Latina politicians. And while Ramos has not been well-liked among her colleagues, JGR received plenty of endorsements from well-loved progressives across the state.
City Council Member Shekar Krishnan was in attendance at JGR’s watch party. “Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas has been a partner to me, not just on the big issues in Albany, but for every single issue that matters to our community, and Jessica Ramos has been the exact opposite,” he told City & State. – Fariha Rahman
9:39 p.m – Longtime former Stefanik adviser running Constantino’s NY-21 campaign
Sources told City & State that Alex deGrasse, Rep. Elise Stefanik’s longtime former senior political adviser and chief strategist, is running Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino’s campaign to succeed her.
Constantino, who's backed by President Donald Trump, is leading in early voting results tonight over Assembly Member Robert Smullen, a retired U.S Marine colonel from Johnstown.
DeGrasse was quietly brought in to work for Constantino’s campaign in the last few weeks, per sources, in coordination with the White House and alumni from Stefanik’s office as recent polling grew to favor Constantino.
DeGrasse, who is in attendance at Constantino's watch party in Fulton County, continues to advise Stefanik through his own consulting firm North Country Strategies, but is no longer employed by her office. – Kate Lisa
NEW: Sources confirm @Degrasse81, @RepStefanik’s longtime former senior political adviser and chief strategist, is running @constantino’s campaign to replace the retiring NY-21 congresswoman.
— Kate Lisa (@KaitlynnLisa) June 24, 2026
deGrasse was quietly brought in, per sources, in coordination w/the White House in… pic.twitter.com/rRNJYQrxiH
9:30 p.m. – Can Alex Bores pull an election out of a hat?
Assembly Member Alex Bores is trailing Assembly Member Micah Lasher by 4 percentage points in the close race to succeed retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler in the 12th Congressional District, which means one thing. It’s time to bring out the magic tricks.
With Bores supporters starting to fill the candidate’s watch party in Gramercy, his Assembly district director – and magician – Julie Roland pulled out a card trick to entertain the crowd. That crowd includes Rep. Pat Ryan, who endorsed Bores from the Hudson Valley, and former Rep. Carolyn Maloney.
At Lasher’s election watch party on the Upper West Side, the crowd mostly comprises fellow West Siders – including state Sen. Erik Bottcher and New York City Council Member Carl Wilson. Drinks are flowing, music is blaring and the vibes seem to be cautiously optimistic.
With just a few points between them, however, we’ll have to wait a little longer for the grand reveal. – Annie McDonough and Chantal Mann
9:27 p.m. – Reynoso party quiet as NY-7 is called for Valdez
The competitive race between socialist Claire Valdez and progressive Antonio Reynoso was called by NY1 before the Brooklyn borough president even arrived at his own party. Valdez won dramatically, with around 57% of the vote with 91% of scanners reporting, as Reynoso’s roughly 35%. Supporters at Reynoso’s party, held at Xanadu Roller Arts in Bushwick, didn’t boo as the large television screens above the bar showed Valdez’s projected win – instead, there was a notable silence. The venue filled and people chatted with friends and colleagues, but almost no one seemed to be paying attention to NY1 at that point. The crowd is still waiting for Reynoso himself to show and speak. – Amanda Salazar
9:11 p.m. – Nail-biter in Western New York Assembly race
The race to succeed Assembly Member Jonathan Rivera is developing into a nail-biter, according to the initial absentee vote count.
Former Hamburg Council Member Karen Hoak leads DSA-backed Buffalo attorney Adam Bojak by two votes. The Erie County Board of Elections shows Hoak with 992 votes to Bojak’s 990, with banker Kevin Deese trailing with 289 votes.
Hoak is largely backed by the Erie County Democratic Committee, while Bojak is hoping to give the DSA a foothold in Western New York. The district encompasses Hamburg, Lackawanna and parts of Buffalo. – John Celock
9:10 p.m. – An early victory for Brad Lander
The packed room at Brad Lander’s watch party wasn’t left in suspense for long before the race was called by NY1 for Lander at about 9:07 p.m. “This is the calmest party I’ve ever been to,” said one attendee. Spotted in the crowd were Ana María Archila, Ruth Messinger, Dante de Blasio and Amy Rutkin, former chief of staff to Rep. Jerry Nadler. – Holly Pretsky
An early celebration at Brad Lander’s watch party in Gowanus. Race is called before 9:10 pm. pic.twitter.com/ItcO9ehSKe
— Holly Pretsky (@hollypret) June 24, 2026
9 p.m. – Reynoso’s party vibey, but a slow start
Polls just closed across the city and NY-7 candidate Antonio Reynoso’s election watch party at Xanadu Roller Arts in Bushwick is off to a slow start. While some people are lacing up their skates under the rainbow lights, the venue is still mostly journalists setting up and campaign staffers hanging Reynoso banners. A campaign team member said he’s not yet sure when the Brooklyn borough president will be arriving, but that it will be any time after polls close.
Early returns aren’t looking good for Reynoso – Claire Valdez built a solid lead from the early vote results - Amanda Salazar
8:51 p.m. - NY-13 gets ready for results
The set up at La Casa del Mofongo in Inwood for Rep. Adriano Espaillat. Polls close in 15 minutes. The food situation here is, sadly, nonexistent (unless you order from a server at a table) pic.twitter.com/uRATAEN4Or
— Rebecca C. Lewis (@_rebeccaclewis) June 24, 2026
There’s not much happening at Darializa Avila Chevalier’s election night party at Sofrito yet - doors haven’t opened to the general public yet. But there is a very majestic view campaign staff are taking advantage of as a backdrop.l pic.twitter.com/M8IoFSKlq5
— Sahalie Donaldson (@SahalieD) June 24, 2026
7:49 p.m. – Trash, or treasure?
Endless super PAC mailers and ads: Good or bad? Must-reads or straight to recycling?
— Annie McDonough (@Annie_McDonough) June 23, 2026
An 11th hour Election Day investigation by @CityAndStateNY pic.twitter.com/6FSUKkPAQK
– Annie McDonough, Sophie Krichevsky, Chantal Mann, Fariha Rahman, Holly Pretsky and Jeff Coltin
7:42 p.m. – Anti-Zellner artist accuses him of getting her arrested
A Western New York artist is accusing state Sen. Jeremy Zellner of helping to get her arrested on charges of vandalizing polling places with her anti-Zellner message.
Courtney Frances Fallon, a self-described artist activist, made the accusation this afternoon with support from Assembly Member Jonathan Rivera, Zellner’s opponent in a competitive state Senate Democratic primary. Fallon was arrested by the City of Tonawanda Police Department on Monday for painting “ZELL NO” in biodegradable wheat paint in front of early voting sites in the city on Sunday. She painted in front of four other early voting sites in other municipalities in the district but has not been arrested elsewhere. Fallon faces graffiti and criminal tampering charges and has admitted to painting the messages. Police released her with a desk appearance ticket for July 7. The arrest came after Fallon said a Zellner associate reached out to her.
“I believe that (Zellner) has a hand in how this went down, and that is why Amy Kobler thought to text me,” Fallon said. “And I acknowledge that I cannot prove that without, like, subpoena power and call logs. What I would say is that Jeremy Zellner has an excellent opportunity to set the record straight by appealing to the city of Tonawanda to drop the charges. These are my First Amendment rights.”
Fallon produced a screenshot of a text from Amy Kobler, the deputy Democratic commissioner of the Erie County Board of Elections, asking Fallon if she drove a Chevy Equinox. Fallon said she was contacted by local police 90 minutes after Kobler’s message, and that the police also reached out to her father when she did not immediately pick up. Zellner stepped down as Democratic elections commissioner in Erie County late last year before he sought the Senate seat in a special election, and Kobler’s daughter works on Zellner’s Senate staff.
Rivera expressed his belief in Fallon’s accusation in a text message to City & State, saying he found it “embarrassing” that Zellner would “track down an artist who was expressing her First Amendment right” to have her arrested.
But Zellner’s campaign was quick to dismiss the allegations and questioned Fallon’s credibility.
“This is an absurd accusation from someone who admitted to vandalizing multiple polling places,” Zellner campaign spokesperson Morgan Hook told City & State. “Our response is ZELL-YES, now get out and vote before the polls close.” – John Celock and Rebecca C. Lewis
7:20 p.m. – JGR is sick of the personal attacks
“I’m someone with a lot of integrity. I don’t like to attack, but obviously, if I’m being lied about, I want to clear the record,” said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, pushing back against the rhetoric she says incumbent state Sen. Jessica Ramos, who she is challenging, has been spreading about her during this campaign.
Outside of a polling location in East Elmhurst, JGR campaigned with fellow Assembly Member Larinda Hooks and Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry.
The race between González-Rojas and Ramos got very personal as the two Latina progressives launched attacks on each other's voting records and campaign donors.
The pair haven’t gotten along well for a long time, but it was Ramos’ controversial decision to endorse Andrew Cuomo i in the mayoral race last year – effectively ending her own bid – that left Ramos with more enemies than allies, and provided an opening for JGR to unseat her. And Ramos’ haters have come out of the woodwork to back JGR. González-Rojas is endorsed by AOC, Working Families Party (previously a key part of Ramos’ political identity) and a whole slate of progressives in office. Ramos is endorsed by a number of unions and even state senate Majority Leader Andrea-Stewart Cousins, but her labor support is significantly weaker in this race than it has been in the past.. Meanwhile, the candidates’ platforms have taken a back seat in this race, with Ramos making her opposition to the Metropolitan Park casino project a key issue, highlighting González-Rojas’ approval of the park alienation bill.
But González-Rojas says that Ramos has “weaponized this as a political issue.”
She said she would work with the casino and “make sure we extract as much from this billionaire for the betterment of the community.” (Ironically, that sounds a lot like Ramos’ rhetoric.)
“I really want to create a space of holding the project accountable and being a watchdog to the community benefits that they're required to deliver for our neighborhood,” González-Rojas said. “I actually want to bring together the community, those who hate it, those who want it, to make sure we're holding them accountable as a community.”
– Fariha Rahman
6:08 p.m. - NY-17 staffer’s car vandalized
The staffer of a Democratic candidate in the NY-17 primary filed a police report this afternoon after she said that her car was vandalized while canvassing in Rockland County.
Amy Vele, a staffer for Tarrytown Trustee Effie Phillips-Staley’s congressional campaign, filed a report with the Spring Valley Police Department after she said someone tore off the campaign signs she had taped to her car and keyed the vehicle.
In a video posted on X this evening, Phillips-Staley said it appears that the person also tried to get the car towed because of a parking complaint.
“This is what happens, I guess, when you are out trying to turn out the vote, but we are not going to let that stop us,” she said in the video.
Vele was canvassing together with Phillips-Staley, running as the most progressive candidate in the five-way race, at the time of the incident. Polling throughout the race has had Phillips-Staley in third place, with Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson and decorated U.S. Army veteran Cait Conley trading places in the lead.
“We are going to continue talking about the East Ramapo schools,” Phillips-Staley said at the end of the video. “I don’t care how hostile people get about this election. We are fighting for people and we’re going to let this person get away with attacking her car.”
The winner of tonight’s primary will determine who will run against Rep. Mike Lawler in a race that could impact which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives. – Kate Lisa
5:12 p.m. – Light turnout upstate
Upstate counties with competitive races are reporting light turnout by early evening.
Erie County is reporting 28,998 votes cast so far, for a roughly 10.5% turnout, according to Board of Elections spokesman Derek Murphy. Murphy said that includes 17,657 in person votes so far today, along with 8,132 early votes cast and 3,209 absentee votes returned. Murphy described the turnout as steady but light.
Erie County is home to competitive Democratic primaries between state Sen. Jeremy Zellner and Assembly Member Jonathan Rivera for a state Senate seat spanning part of Buffalo and several large suburban towns, and for Rivera’s Assembly seat spanning Hamburg, Lackawanna and part of Buffalo.
In Broome County, Deputy Elections Commissioner Joseph Bertoni said that roughly 8,600 votes have been cast so far with 7,300 in person today and during early voting, along with 1,300 absentee ballots returned so far. This would be a 6% turnout countywide, which he said is slow.
Broome County has a competitive Democratic primary for the seat of retiring Assembly Member Donna Lupardo and a Republican primary to face Rep. Josh Riley.
The Onondaga County Board of Elections is reporting turnout numbers regularly on their Facebook page with a 4 p.m. post saying 6,364 in-person voters have participated at 141 polling places countywide today. – John Celock
4:15 p.m. – 20/26 Vision
In the race to fill Micah Lasher’s West Side Assembly seat, Stephanie Ruskay is running in a more moderate lane than her Democratic primary opponent, Eli Northrup. But there’s one big thing she agrees with the socialists on: fun eyeglasses.
“You’ve got to build bridges, find commonality where you can,” the bespectacled Ruskay said about congressional candidates Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez. “My glasses store closed this year. So maybe I should call them, to find out where I should get my next pair.”
Valdez has rocked circular spectacles since running for Assembly. And Avila Chevalier has used her white-rimmed glasses as a calling card in campaign videos.
Ruskay also has a complicated relationship with boring glasses-wearing-Lasher. She has enthusiastically said she’s voting for him, and they share several key endorsers in common, including Council Member Gale Brewer. But even as they campaigned just steps away from each other on West 85th Street today, Lasher declined to endorse a successor, and wouldn’t say who he voted for: “That is between me and my ballot.” – Jeff Coltin
3:46 p.m. - Pro-Ramos AI-slop banner lists false endorsements
Outside a poll site near 80th Street and 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights stands a five-foot-tall banner listing endorsements for state Sen. Jessica Ramos’ reelection campaign, with prominent text noting it was “Paid for by Ramos for State Senate 2026.”
The first problem: many of the organizations named did not endorse her. The second problem: the clearly AI-generated banner is riddled with typos and design mistakes.
For example the Teamsters Union, which has endorsed Ramos, is spelled ‘TEEAMSTEREs’ on the banner. There’s an unholy mashup of the logo for RWDSU – which did endorse her – and 32BJ SEIU – which did not. And there’s a nearly-illegible logo for the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, even though HTC is firmly behind her opponent, Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, given Ramos’ opposition to the Metropolitan Park casino.
Union endorsements have been a hot topic in the Queens contest, with several unions that previously backed Ramos now flipping to JGR. A Ramos campaign spokesperson did not offer comment directly on the sign, but said anything that looked unprofessional was not from the campaign. – Fariha Rahman
3:40 p.m. – Zellner, Rivera optimistic in Western New York
Both sides in what is arguably the most competitive state legislative race in upstate New York are expressing optimism heading into primary night.
State Sen. Jeremy Zellner and his Democratic primary opponent, Assembly Member Jonathan Rivera, are facing off in a largely suburban Buffalo district in what has been a contest between the Erie County Democratic Committee and the progressive movement.
“We feel great,” Zellner told City & State. “We closed strong and hit a lot of doors personally.”
Zellner, the Erie County Democratic Committee chair, has been pushing his record since winning his Senate seat in a February special election. He has also been playing up his support from top Democrats, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Rep. Tim Kennedy. Zellner thinks he has “reached a crescendo” in the race since when he knocked on a door the other day and his commercial was playing on the voter’s television.
Rivera spokesperson Ethan Powers said organized labor has been out in full force for the Assembly member in the closing days of the race, and that the Rivera camp sees a path to victory in the closing hours of the race. Rivera has been backed by a number of unions, including 1199SEIU, United Auto Workers and CSEA. The New York Working Families Party is also backing Rivera.
“We’ve been hitting the doors for weeks and weeks at this point,” Powers said. “It is clear folks in the district want a change.” – John Celock
3 p.m. – Turnout still creeping up in NYC
By 3 p.m., no single borough's voting check-ins for today had surpassed its total for all of early voting. While turnout remains highest in Manhattan and Brooklyn, with 53,125 and 52,408 check-ins, respectively, that's still much lower than the 67,669 and 54,277 the two saw by the end of early voting. In Manhattan, where every Democrat has a competitive House primary, turnout is tracking at about 56% of the turnout in last year’s mayoral primary. In the other boroughs, turnout is less than half of last year.
Still, the rate of turnout is increasing as the day goes on. In the Bronx, the number of people who voted between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. (8,945) rivaled the number of those who voted between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m. (10,156) – double the amount of time. Queens turnout also skyrocketed, going from 16,335 check-ins as of 12 p.m. to 30,070 by 3 p.m. – Sophie Krichevsky
— NYC Board of Elections (@BOENYC) June 23, 2026
3 p.m. – Comptroller candidates make their final pitches
In the lone statewide contest on the ballot this primary day, incumbent Tom DiNapoli opted to work the phones on the day of the election. Campaign spokesperson Aaron Ghitelman said the comptroller has been thanking supporters over the phone and telling them to remind friends and family to vote. While DiNapoli’s government schedule placed him in New York City and on Long Island, where he lives, challenger Drew Warshaw has been criss-crossing New York City, with his public schedule placing him in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn throughout the day. Our own Sahalie Donaldson ran into him in Park Slope earlier this afternoon. Warshaw also began the day by touting a new endorsement to bolster his progressive cred: socialist in office Assembly Member Emily Gallagher.
Fellow insurgent Raj Goyle also spent the day in New York City, starting off in Upper Manhattan and ending the day in Brooklyn. On social media, Goyle highlighted his support from the Muslims Vote Project. – Rebecca C. Lewis
On one corner in Park Slope, we’ve got an interesting trio: comptroller canidate Drew Warshaw campaigning for himself and dueling canvassers for Brad Lander and Dan Goldman.
— Sahalie Donaldson (@SahalieD) June 23, 2026
“We’ve seen each other a lot,” the Goldman canvasser says. “Like five times,” the Lander canvasser adds. pic.twitter.com/Wod6Z5qaYE
2:45 p.m. - Dan Goldman gets mixed reception in Park Slope
Over in Brad Lander’s home neighborhood of Park Slope, Rep. Dan Goldman said the reception from voters has been “better than the outside would think.”
“There are a lot of people who I have heard are very disappointed with the campaign that my opponent has run,” Goldman charged, referencing the fact that Israel’s war in Gaza has loomed large over the 10th Congressional District race. While both he and Lander are Jewish, they’ve represented dueling viewpoints on the divisive issue – Goldman, more in line with Democrats’ historically pro-Israel stance, and Lander, who has been highly critical of the country’s treatment of Palestinians.
“He as a quote unquote Zionist Jew himself, is using this very combustible issue as a wedge – as the central platform of his race – which is I think turning a lot of people off who have supported him in the past,” Goldman added.
Just a few days earlier, a coffee shop chain called Poetica Coffee sparked a firestorm by sharing a social media post condemning Goldman over his support of Israel after he’d visited the Williamsburg location with his daughter. The post has since been deleted, but not before it was widely circulated. Seemingly referencing the incident and another online attack against a Goldman staffer, Lander urged people to turn down the “over-the-top toxic’” rhetoric Tuesday afternoon.
But mere minutes after arriving outside of a Park Slope poll site to speak with voters, Goldman was confronted by a woman who at first, repeatedly interrupted as he attempted to do an interview with a journalist, then upon its conclusion, directly challenged him over his past sign off on U.S. military aid to Israel.
“You’ve been sitting here trying to interrupt an interview by yelling at me,” Goldman told the woman, who later identified herself to City & State as a mother who lives in the district and supports Lander.
“I’m sorry you are so entitled that you think you deserve people to treat you so kindly after you have actually caused the murder – not solely, but given money to cause the murder of thousands of families,” the woman fired back. “Why do you think you deserve peace after that?”
After telling the woman he’d be happy to talk to her, just not there, Goldman swiftly walked away. Other residents were happier to see him. As he moved a block away, two passersby wished him luck.
“I just voted for you,” one said. “I love you.” – Sahalie Donaldson
12:30 p.m. – SUNY chancellor casts his primary ballot in comptroller race
Few primary mailers made the rounds in Albany this cycle, but by lunchtime on primary day, there was a steady turnout of Democratic voters – by Albany standards anyway – Democratic voters for three races today: state comptroller, county court justice and county committee (for which two people are elected).
About 150 people cast a ballot at the First Presbyterian Church polling site in Albany by lunchtime, including SUNY Chancellor John King, who lives in the Center Square neighborhood.
King declined to say who he voted for in any race, but he gave a nod to state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who is facing a primary challenge for the first time in his nearly 20 years in his role. “I’m excited that we have a great comptroller who’s doing a great job, and that’s Tom Dinapoli, but I’m going to leave my vote between me and the ballot box,” he said.
Comptroller candidates Drew Warshaw and Raj Goyle are generally more progressive than DiNapoli, but many voters, like 75-year-old Eric Burke, said they cast a ballot for the longtime incumbent.
“I’m impressed with his work and the job he’s doing, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Burke said.
The quiet polling place picked up a bit with state and city workers voting on their lunch hour. Some voters said they were confused about this year’s new polling site location, while several others said they didn’t know there was a primary until two days ago. Most said they learned about the races from Assembly Member Gabriella Romero’s social media posts.
Local author Jocelyn Jackson said she mainly came out to vote in the local races. She declined to say who got her vote for comptroller – except that it wasn’t DiNapoli.
“I was leaning a little bit more progressive,” she said. – Kate Lisa
12 p.m. – Latest NYC voter numbers
By noon, about 260,000 New York City voters had participated in this primary. That’s less than half of the 600,000 voters who had checked in by noon in 2025, but there has been an uptick in participation in the past few hours compared to the 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. window. About 63,000 people turned out since 9 a.m., compared to the roughly 24,000 who showed up before work. – Holly Pretsky
— NYC Board of Elections (@BOENYC) June 23, 2026
11:30 a.m. – Espaillat casts his vote
Rep. Adriano Espaillat arrived at his Inwood poll site this morning several hours after his opponent Darializa Avila Chevalier cast her vote in Harlem.
Addressing reporters after casting his ballot, Espaillat highlighted his deep and longstanding ties to the district and community. “I cast that vote with pride, being a resident of New York City and this neighborhood basically all my life since I got here from the Dominican Republic at the age of 9,” he told reporters. “I never left Washington Heights, I stayed here. I think I’m part of the fabric of this community.” Espaillat has characterized his DSA-backed opponent and her supporters as gentrifiers without the same roots.
As the incumbent spoke with reporters, he stood immediately in front of the polling place for a short period, making it difficult for voters to enter. A spokesperson denied this broke the law prohibiting electioneering within 100 feet of a poll site, though he acknowledged that moving down the street would have been more preferable had press not already gathered.
Espaillat also dismissed comments from Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who appeared with Avila Chevalier this morning, about the need for change in the Democratic Party and new faces in Congress. “I am a new face in Congress,” he said after highlighting his long history representing the area at various levels of government. “I am the first formerly undocumented member of (Congress), I am the first Dominican American to be elected to the House of Representatives. … And I think I’ve strengthened (the Democratic Party) but inside of it.”
Espaillat further expressed confidence in his odds of winning when asked. “I mean, go to a polling market, I think they’ll tell you everything,” he said. – Rebecca C. Lewis
11:30 a.m. – The bromance continues
One year after their historic cross endorsement helped the young democratic socialist win the Democratic mayoral primary, Zohran Mamdani joined Brad Lander on the campaign trail again – this time, to boost the former comptroller in his bid to unseat Rep. Dan Goldman.
Lotsa of familiar faces at the poll site as the mayor arrives - in addition to Brad Lander, there’s Assembly candidate Illapa Sairitupac, Yuh-Line Niou, Cynthia Nixon, and Mamdani advisor Morris Katz. pic.twitter.com/mYzZdbEfhH
— Sahalie Donaldson (@SahalieD) June 23, 2026
Lander wasn’t the only candidate Mamdani joined at the Lower East Side poll site. Flanked by Lander and Illapa Sairitupac – a DSA-backed candidate running to succeed Assembly Member Grace Lee – Mamdani reiterated his affordability-centric messaging, describing the two men as important partners in the fight to lower prices.
Asked how confident he is in the chances of his endorsees’ tonight, Mamdani demurred, saying he’s not the best person to give out predictions. “I think what we see in these candidacies is a referendum on whether the kind of leadership we have is the one that is serving the people of the city,” Mamdani added, gesturing to Lander. “As Brad often says, it’s not just a question of electing more Democrats, it’s a question of electing better Democrats.”
Mamdani may be all in for Lander, but his wife, First Lady Rama Duwaji, notably excluded Lander from her election day Instagram post. “today’s the day NYC!!!” she wrote. “vote @claireforny @darializaforny” – Sahalie Donaldson
11 a.m. – Alex Bores tests his appeal on the West Side
Assembly Members Micah Lasher and Alex Bores, the front-running candidates in New York's most expensive congressional race this year, took turns at Upper West Side poll sites this morning. Bores was first to hit P.S. 75 on 95th and West End Avenue where he ran into some supportive voters (yes, even on Lasher's West Side home turf) and spoke to a few reporters in between last minute canvassing.
Asked about the tens of millions in outside spending in the race, Bores lamented that fellow candidates in NY-12 didn't join him at the start of the race when he said he asked them to sign on to a "People's Pledge," which calls for candidates to give 50% of their own campaign dollars for whatever is spent by super PACs supporting them or attacking their opponent. "I think all my opponents looked around at the super PAC attacking me and said, 'Eh, we're going to turn a blind eye and let that happen.'"
Like Bores, Lasher has been critical of super PAC spending in the race – and the Citizens United decision more broadly. And like Bores, Lasher has had a super PAC spend on his behalf. In between chats with supportive voters of his own, Lasher told City & State that Bores is "totally full of shit on that pledge." If Bores had to pay $1 for every $2 spent by a super PAC on his behalf, he wouldn't have close to enough to make good on the pledge given the millions spent in his favor, he said. "It's a cheap talking point from a guy who has run his entire campaign on disingenuous cheap talking points," Lasher said – a notably gloves-off line that earned a glance from a nearby staffer. "It's election day," Lasher told the staffer. – Annie McDonough
10:50 a.m. – Campaigning at “Fort McCourt”
“I feel as good as a neurotic Jew can feel on election day,” Assembly Member Micah Lasher said, suggesting he’s only a base level of worried about the outcome of his NY-12 campaign. Lasher was campaigning outside Frank McCourt High School on West 85th Street on the Upper West Side, and was joined by an all-star endorser line-up of three former Manhattan borough presidents: Gale Brewer, Scott Stringer and Ruth Messinger.
But the West Sider downplayed the geographic dynamic against his leading opponent, East Side Assembly Member Alex Bores. “I will predict that we are going to do surprisingly well on the east side,” he said. “It may look less like (a divide) than people expect.”
Nearby, a young canvasser pitched incoming voters. “Vote for Alex Bores, the 18th richest man in the world is spending millions of dollars to stop him.” That rich man, of course, is Mike Bloomberg, but the canvasser agreed it was better not to mention the ex-mayor’s name, since he’s quite popular. – Jeff Coltin
10:30 a.m. – Far from the polls, Hochul says ‘Let’s go Bills’
Where in the world is Gov. Kathy Hochul? Not getting out the vote on primary day. She gave remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Highmark Stadium, the new home of the Buffalo Bills, which the state chipped in $650 million for.
That cash, included as a surprise last-minute addition to Hochul’s first budget, was controversial. But the governor said it was important to get it done.
“I knew that I would not be the governor who had on her tombstone, ‘She let the Bills get away,’” Hochul said. “I would not let that be the case.” She added that one of her first calls after ascending to the governorship was to the Pegulas, the billionaire owners of the Bills, “because I was hearing that they’re a little frustrated that they weren’t feeling the right amount of interest from the state.”
The governor did at least allude to the politics today, but as a means of hyping up the unity of the Bills mafia. “There’s so much divisiveness in society today, elections, all the ads that drive everybody nuts, and you just feel like we’re getting pulled further and further apart,” she said. “But when you walk into this stadium, or you walk into a Bills bar, that all dissipates.” – Rebecca C. Lewis
9:10 a.m. – First primary day NYC voting numbers roll in
The New York City Board of Elections put out its first set of voter check-ins just after 9 a.m., three hours after polls opened. After about 172,000 people voted early – far below the more than 735,000 who voted early in last year's mayoral primary – roughly 24,000 people cast ballots in the first three hours of voting this morning. Manhattan had a slight edge over Brooklyn in that period, with 8,439 ballots cast to Brooklyn's 8,409. Both are home to competitive congressional races. Meanwhile, the Bronx had 2,503 votes cast in that time and in Queens, another 4,583. Staten Island saw just 360 votes in that time. – Sophie Krichevsky
— NYC Board of Elections (@BOENYC) June 23, 2026
8:30 a.m. – Park Slopers evaluate their Congress member
Former Mike 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
7:30 a.m. – Mamdani votes with DAC
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani briefly joined Darializa Avila Chevalier in East Harlem before she cast her vote in her race against Rep. Adriano Espaillat.
“As a Black woman, as a Dominican woman, as a daughter of immigrants, it is my honor to have run a campaign that centers working people, and it is my privilege to be able to vote today,” Avila Chevalier told reporters. She has faced racist attacks in recent days questioning her Dominican ethnicity and her place in the Dominican diaspora.
Avila Chevalier is one of a slate of congressional candidates that Mamdani has endorsed that has put him at odds with other members of Democratic Party leadership, as well as with incumbents. The races are viewed broadly as a test of the mayor’s influence after a historic victory last year, as well as the power of DSA, which has endorsed Avila Chevalier, as well Claire Valdez, for Congress.
“I think what we have here is an opportunity to elect partners to help fulfill our affordability agenda,” Mamdani said when asked whether he felt he had a lot on the line today. “I’ve spoken to New Yorkers time and time again about my focus being the transformation of the nation’s most expensive city into one that we can afford, and we can only achieve that if we have partners in Washington. And in Darializa, in Claire, in Brad (Lander), I see those partners.”
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, a fellow progressive running against the DSA-backed Valdez, has said he is committed to being a partner to the mayor as well. But Mamdani reiterated Valdez’s loyalty in the organizing space when asked if he thought Reynoso wouldn’t be a partner.
“I think what we look at is, someone in Claire Valdez, is a track record, is someone who has been there time and time again,” Mamdani told reporters. “I stand here today as the mayor. However, when I launched that campaign, there was only one elected official at my launch, and that was Claire Valdez, and that was because she knew it was a fight for working people.”
Mamdani met up with Valdez afterwards, per her X post. – Rebecca C. Lewis
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.