Voters Across New York State See Contested Races

Competitive Primaries Outside NYC
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown testifies before the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Committee's legislative budget hearing on local government in Albany, N.Y., Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown testifies before the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Committee's legislative budget hearing on local government in Albany, N.Y., Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

While the Democratic primaries for New York City mayor and comptroller have gotten significant attention, voters Upstate and in the New York City suburbs, also are deciding mayoral races and county office races.

In Buffalo, two-term Mayor Byron Brown (D) faces a primary challenge from retired FBI agent Bernie Tolbert. Brown, who was endorsed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), is considered the favorite to win the primary in the heavily Democratic Queen City.

In the Rochester Democratic mayoral primary, Mayor Thomas Richards is being challenged by City Council President Lovely Warren. Richards was first elected mayor in a 2011 special election to succeed Democrat Bob Duffy, who resigned to become lieutenant governor. Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Minor, the co-chairwoman of the state Democratic Party, is facing a primary challenge from City Councilor Pat Hogan and businessman Alfonso Davis. Minor is considered the favorite in the Democratic stronghold.

With the retirement of Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings (D), capital city voters are being asked to pick the first new mayor in 20 years. City Treasurer Kathy Sheehan holds a commanding 48-point lead over former City Councilman Corey Ellis in the Democratic primary.

Republicans in Binghamton are choosing a nominee from former Deputy Mayor Rich David, attorney Douglas Walter Drazen and businessman Ed Hickey to represent the party in the mayoral race and face Democrat City Council President Teri Rennia in November. Mayor Matt Ryan (D) is term-limited.

The Democratic primary for Rockland County executive has been especially competitive with former Spring Valley village Judge David Fried facing off against county Legislator Ilan Schoenberger. The race had been a three-way competition before the state Court of Appeals disqualified Suffern Mayor Dagan Lacorte from the ballot following a petition challenge. The primary winner will face Republican county Legislator Ed Day in the race to replace retiring County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef (R).

In Nassau County, former Democratic County Executive Tom Suozzi wants to reclaim the office he lost four years ago to Republican Ed Mangano. But first, Suozzi, a former gubernatorial candidate, has to defeat Roslyn school board member Adam Haber in Tuesday's Democratic primary. Suozzi is considered a favorite.

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