New York Governor Andrew Cuomo defeated liberal challenger Zephyr Teachout in the state's Democratic Primary Tuesday, turning back an energetic longshot bid by liberals who have criticized his pragmatic, centrist approach.
Unofficial returns late Tuesday gave Cuomo the victory over Teachout, a Fordham University law professor. Drug law activist Randy Credico came in third.
Teachout was largely unknown to voters, but her presence on the ballot nonetheless served as a liberal rebuke to the popular incumbent and highlighted his sometimes uneasy relationship with his party's base.
Teachout criticized Cuomo for his support for charter schools and business-friendly tax cuts while saying he hadn't done enough to address government corruption and income inequality.
Former Buffalo area congresswoman Kathy Hochul beat back a challenge from Tim Wu to win the Democratic primary for New York lieutenant governor. Hochul served a single term in the U.S. House and was working as a bank vice president when Cuomo tapped her to be his running mate.
Wu, a Columbia University law professor, had criticized Hochul as being too conservative.
Hochul has vowed to work to represent western New York and continue Cuomo's efforts to boost the region's economy.
“I am sincerely honored that Democrats from every corner of this state have put their faith in me to be their nominee for Lieutenant Governor," Hochul said during a speech at Erie County Democratic headquarters downtown. "As a proud daughter of Buffalo, I have a deep gratitude for the support and encouragement they have shown to me. And I would also like to thank Tim Wu for running such a spirited campaign."
It appears one of the incumbents in the State Legislature lost his seat in Tuesday's primary elections. 60th district State Senator Mark Grisanti lost his Republican primary to Kevin Stocker. WBFO's Mike Desmond reached Stocker on the phone, asking if he thinks his Republican credentials contributed to his victory.
Grisanti says he will remain in the race and will run as the Independence Party candidate in November's election. In a Democratic primary in that district, Marc Panepinto leads Alfred Coppola 53 to 47 percent.
In the 63rd State Senate district race where there was a Democratic primary, incumbent Senator Tim Kennedy defeated challenger Betty Jean Grant. With 84 percent of the vote in, Kennedy had a 60 to 40 percent lead.
State Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes will retain her seat in the 141st Assembly District. With 84 percent of the vote in, Peoples-Stokes leads Antoine Thompson, the former State Senator, 62 to 32 percent.
In the 143rd Assembly District, Mark Mazurek is leading Camille Brandon 54 to 46 percent with 85 percent of the vote in.
And in the 146th Assembly District, Steven Meyer won his Democratic primary over Ken Smith and will go on to face Republican incumbent Ray Walter in November's election.
In the 62nd State Senate District, North Tonawanda Mayor Robert Ortt defeated Gia Arnold of Orleans County in a Republican primary. That seat is being vacated by the retirement of incumbent George Maziarz.