It’s election season once again. Victories in November have caused a cascade of openings in the state Legislature, necessitating four special elections on Feb. 3. With early voting starting Saturday, frigid temperatures and a major snowstorm could mean a slow start at the ballot box. In fact, early voting’s canceled Sunday and Monday in New York City for the weather. Consider it a cold open for an exciting year of elections.
Assembly District 36
Candidates: Diana Moreno (D, WFP), Rana Abdelhamid (Queens for All), Mary Jobaida (People First)
What’s the deal?: It’s progressives vs. socialists in the race to replace Zohran Mamdani in western Queens. The now-mayor has backed Diana Moreno, the former NYC-DSA Queens co-chair, as did, surprisingly, Rep. Greg Meeks and the Queens County Democratic Party. Rep. Nydia Velázquez is on the other side of this fight, supporting Rana Abdelhamid, who is running on her own line and has a long history of organizing in the district. Mary Jobaida, the first candidate in this race, unsuccessfully ran for an Assembly seat in 2020 and has strong ties to the Bangladeshi community in the district.
What’s next?: A June rematch seems likely in the Democratic primary.
Assembly District 74
Candidates: Keith Powers (D), Joseph Foley (R, C)
What’s the deal?: Former New York City Council Member Keith Powers is very likely to win this safe Democratic seat on Manhattan’s East Side. His nomination in December to replace Harvey Epstein, who is now in the City Council, by the Manhattan Democratic Party was fairly smooth, garnering about 60% of the vote.
What’s next?: Powers would have the advantage of incumbency in the June primary, but this politically active district could field several challengers for the Democratic nomination.
47th state Senate District
Candidates: Erik Bottcher (D, WFP), Charlotte Friedman (R)
What’s the deal?: New York City Council Member Erik Bottcher decided to drop out of the incredibly crowded race to replace Rep. Jerry Nadler and took an easy glide path into the state Senate after state lawmakers Linda Rosenthal and Tony Simone decided not to run for this seat to replace Brad Hoylman-Sigal on the West Side of Manhattan.
What’s next?: A Bottcher win would set up a special election for his City Council seat later this spring, and he has already backed his chief of staff Carl Wilson to take his place.
61st state Senate District
Candidates: Jeremy Zellner (D), Dan Gagliardo (R, C)
What’s the deal?: Erie County Democratic Committee Chair Jeremy Zellner was nominated by the county party he leads to replace Sean Ryan in the state Senate. So sometimes it’s good to be the boss. Former Buffalo mayoral candidate India Walton called the process “wildly unethical,” but this downtown district is a Democratic stronghold, leaving Republican Dan Gagliardo with a slim chance of victory.
What’s next?: Look out for Assembly Member Jonathan Rivera to challenge Zellner in the June Democratic primary.
