The 2022 Democratic primary for governor is looking increasingly one-sided as Gov. Kathy Hochul continues to use the incumbent’s powers against her political rivals.
The unexpected incumbent has had huge electoral leads in recent months, reporting a Record fundraising yield of $21.6 million for the June primary. That’s a multiple of what New York City Attorney Jumaane Williams and Long Island Assemblyman Tom Suozzi have available for their own campaigns. Hochul also has an overwhelming advantage with support from influential Democrats across the state. Attorney General Letitia James dropped out of the race on December 9, and other potential candidates like former New Yorker Bill de Blasio have opted out of running.
With about six months left until the June primary, there’s plenty of time for more twists and turns. Still, money, endorsements and polls continue to go Hochul’s way while other potential candidates like Mayor Bill de Blasio consider entering the race.
Here’s a list of who’s running, who’s not, and who’s still keeping political observers in suspense as of January 18.
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Governor Kathy Hochul
The unexpected governor announced her campaign for a full term before officially replacing the disgraced ex-government. Andrew Cuomo in August. She has since achieved notable success, inheriting much of the political network that helped him win four national races — particularly when it comes to attracting prominent black leaders and wealthy donors to her cause. Recent polls suggest she’s the person to beat at this point, but despite her continued fundraising success, a lot could change in the coming months.
Jumaane Williams, New York City Attorney
Jumaane 2022 became officiallyofficially in mid-November when the longtime Brooklyn powerbroker released a Video highlighting his experience as an activist elected official on the New York City Council and later as a public advocate. Now he faces Hochul once again, whom he unsuccessfully challenged for lieutenant governor in the 2018 Democratic primary, but at least he doesn’t have to worry about defending his hometown turf against another Brooklyn native like James.
MP Thomas Suozzi
That’s what the Long Island congressman told reporters Campaign Announcement that “competence” and “ideology” set him apart from other candidates in the race. A recent victory in state and local tax deductions and his willingness to defy the supposed dangers of socialism in western New York may benefit him with primary voters, but only time will tell if he can build a broad enough coalition to win in June.
Legislative Associate Paul Nichols
New York is a democracy and the 2022 Democratic Party primary won’t be over until the fat lady sings, right? Queens Chief Counsel for State Senator Leroy Comrie is a candidate. His website outlines the “5 smooth stones” of his candidacy. These include a call for big rent cuts and “incentivizing more New Yorkers to move to other parts of the state to reduce the concentration of population in the state.” A lack of notoriety as a relatively obscure legislative worker means he’ll have to work hard to ever be considered a serious contender.
Maybe walk
State Senator Alessandra Biaggi
Few people seemed to get under Team Cuomo’s skin like the two-year-old progressive. Bronx lawmakers have openly floated the idea of challenging Cuomo in a primary, but his resignation takes some momentum from a potential run. A crowded primary may not be worth the trouble compared to an unworldly challenge to the left’s longstanding pessimism. That seems to be one reason why they choose other occasions such as potential runs for prosecutor or lieutenant governor. Biaggi did not respond to a request for comment on her future plans on Jan. 18.
Do not walk
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio
The outgoing mayor had filed papers essentially saying he would run for governor, but ended up not running. Recent polls have indicated that he still has a base of support, particularly among black voters, which could help in future candidacy for public office. De Blasio said he won’t keep us in limbo about his future plans for much longer. “I will devote every fiber of my being to fighting inequality in upstate New York,” he said in an online video posted Jan. 18. “I will bring you more news in the coming days. ”
Steve Bellone, Chief Executive of Suffolk County
“The Last of New York’s Centrists” had a not-so-secret ambition to become the borough’s first elected governor. His sort of dovish politics may have given him a chance in a crowded elementary school this year, where a majority might be enough to win. Oh! Bellone 2022 should not bebut who knows what the future holds for the temporary district manager who will need a makeover after 2023.
Attorney General Letitia James
Her political star has risen sharply over the past year thanks to her bombshell reports on Governor Andrew Cuomo. That sparked months of tension over how she might enter the Democratic nomination for governor next year. Unfortunately, Hochul ended up being more competitive than many people expected and James decided to sit out their campaign on December 9th.
Yonker Mayor Mike Spano
The mayor of New York’s third-largest city doesn’t have a national profile, but that didn’t stop him from considering running for governor. His Confirmation in early December von Hochul as governor, however, shows that a proposal of his own from afar will not take place.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli
Is he the most exciting elected official? Eh, no. but The Long Island Democrat has won three elections since replacing his criminal predecessor in 2007. That might have made him a competitive candidate in a 2022 open primary for governor, but it’s not meant to be. DiNapoli made City & State clear in beginning of November sure he will run for re-election.
George Latimer, Westchester County Executive
The Westchester County Executive Branch has helped make Westchester bluer and bluer in recent years. That has prompted at least one vocal supporter to argue that the former state senator should be included in discussions about who might enter the race, although the “lawn ranger” told City & State in mid-November that he wouldn’t be chasing all .
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo
The fallen master of Albany has been in exile on Long Island since escaping the state capitol weeks ago, but he’s barely gone. His remaining supporters are still attacking the investigation that led to his downfall, and he appears determined to exact revenge. That could include him using his remaining war chest — which is still accepting donations — to fight one last battle for political salvation. While Cuomo reportedly has no interest in running for office next year, his remaining cash and notoriety could still make him a competitive candidate if he changes his mind.
US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
New York’s up-and-coming senator has ambitions beyond Congress – after all, she ran for president. She said she wanted to continue her short and low-key run and run for the presidency again in July. But she reiterated to Gannett Papers in October that despite Cuomo’s resignation, she had no interest in running for governor.
Congregation Speaker Carl Heastie
The Bronx powerbroker told a Syracuse reporter over the summer that he was “absolutely not” interested in entering the race.
