Headlined by a Democratic showdown between Carl McCall and Andrew Cuomo, today’s state primaries were supposed to go off with a bang. But Cuomo dropped out of the race last week, so turnout is expected to barely register a whimper.
Here’s a rundown:
DEMOCRATIC
Cuomo’s name is still on the ballot – but he doesn’t want any votes. McCall’s supporters are urging Democrats to turn out anyway to make sure the state comptroller wins big. McCall’s worries about the outcome of running mate Dennis Mehiel’s contest for lieutenant governor vanished after Cuomo’s candidate, Charlie King, also quit the race, although his name appears on the ballot.
Democrats face a choice in the little-noticed primary fight for state comptroller between Alan Hevesi and Bill Mulrow, as well as in a number of red-hot contests for state Senate and Assembly seats in some neighborhoods in the city.
REPUBLICAN
With the exception of primary fights for two Staten Island assembly seats, GOP voters in the city will have the day off.
INDEPENDENCE
Billionaire businessman Tom Golisano and Gov. Pataki are going head-to-head in what is the most significant statewide primary. Golisano is trying to become the candidate for November of the party he helped create in 1994, while Pataki wants to rid himself of a wealthy foe.
Lt. Gov. Mary Donohue also must win her contest against rival Bill Neild for Pataki’s votes to count on this line in November.
The party is sharply divided between pro-Pataki, pro-Golisano and other factions.
CONSERVATIVE
Golisano is trying to challenge Pataki on this line, too. But it should be a cakewalk for the governor, who’s backed by the Conservative Party leadership, while Golisano is only a write-in candidate.
WORKING FAMILIES
This small, left-wing party has a three-way primary for lieutenant governor that Mehiel must win for McCall’s votes on this line to count in November.