Voters to Choose Congressional, Senate Picks in NY Primary

Candidates running for the House of Representatives, and three Republicans competing for a chance to run for the U.S Senate, will find out Tuesday what kind of support they have among New York voters.

But turnout in the primaries is expected to be low. It’s been years since New York has had a June primary.

Three Republicans are competing for the chance to take on a well-funded Kirsten Gillibrand in this fall’s run for the U.S. Senate.

Attorney Wendy Long, Nassau County comptroller George Maragos and U.S. Rep. Bob Turner are on the Republican primary ballot. Turnout, usually weak in primaries, will be key, especially since the vote was moved to June from September.

This will be Gillibrand’s second campaign for the Senate since she was appointed in 2009 to replace Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. She won election in 2010 to finish off the term, and is now running for a full, six-year term. She already has an advantage with more than $9 million in campaign cash.

Among those looking for voter support in Congressional races is Rep. Charles Rangel. He’s hoping the people in his Harlem district will send him back to Washington for the 22nd time. He’s facing challengers including State Sen. Adriano Espaillat, who would be the first Dominican-American in Congress if he wins the primary and the November general election.

In Brooklyn, City Councilman Charles Barron squares off against State Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries in a newly redrawn district that represents Brooklyn and a small section of Queens.

Long-time incumbent Nydia Velazquez, whose district covers Brooklyn, lower Manhattan and Queens, also faces a primary challenge from City Councilman Erik Dilan.

And in Queens, four Democrats — Assemblymembers Rory Lancman and Grace Meng, City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley and first-time candidate Dr. Robert Mittman — are competing in a primary for a seat vacated by departing Rep. Gary Ackerman.

(Source: NBC New York)