By: Nicholas Scotchie, Political Reporter
As Primary night ended, the political landscape of New York brought more of the same, while also bringing a new direction.
With a massive war chest and a consistent leads in the polls, Governor Andrew Cuomo was able to fend off actress Cynthia Nixon in a 31 percentage point landslide. Despite the scandals surrounding the city subways and corruption in Albany, Cuomo has become nominee once again, but in the process had to end any presidential ambitions and move left on issues such as the legalization of marijuana, which Nixon had campaigned on.
However, the night had upsets in store. Senator Tony Avella went down in defeat to former city comptroller John Liu in the 11th district, facing the fate of several other former members of the Republican allied Independent Democratic Conference. The defeat of these well-funded incumbents shows that New York Democrats have lost tolerance for mavericks who from their perspective have been enablers for the Republicans.
Overall, while the status quo has been able to retain the statewide offices, there has been a shift in the composition of the New York State Senate that may lead to a greater push for progressive legislation come the next session.