New York: Ex-Mayor Enters Race

​Syracuse former Mayor Stephanie Miner (D), who the national Democratic leadership continually tried to recruit as a challenger for Rep. John Katko (R-Syracuse), has decided to run for a different office.  But, her next political move is not exciting her previous supporters.  Yesterday, Ms. Miner announced that she will enter the Governor’s race and form her own party in order to do so.  This will put her into the general election against both Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and actress Cynthia Nixon (D/Working Families). 
 
Ms. Miner’s curious move thus allows Ms. Nixon to run unencumbered against Gov. Cuomo in the Democratic primary, and then again in the general on the Working Families line, which the former Sex in the City television star has already secured.  Ms. Miner’s chances of winning such a crowded race are minimal at best. 
 
The likely Republican nominee is Duchess County Executive Mark Molinaro, who will also control the Conservative and Reform Party ballot lines.   In New York, candidates may appear on the ballot with different political party lines.  All votes cast for a candidate, regardless of the party affiliation, are amassed together.  Gov. Cuomo is favored to win a third term.  The New York state primary is not until September 13th.