NY 18: If Maloney Wins....

​US Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-Cold Spring/West Point) is a candidate for state Attorney General in Thursday’s New York state primary election.  Having won re-nomination for his congressional seat in the June 26th NY federal primary, Rep. Maloney says he will exit the House race should he win the statewide nomination.  According to a new Siena College Research Institute poll (9/4-7; 509 NY Democratic likely state primary voters), he may. 
 
Siena’s latest data finds the Congressman forging into a slight lead over New York City Public Advocate Letitia James (D) and frequent candidate Zephyr Teachout (D).  According to the Siena results, Mr. Maloney has a 25-24-18% edge over James and Teachout as the primary draws to a close. 
 
Should he leave the congressional race, the four local 18th District Democratic chairmen, whose counties wholly or partially comprise the congressional district in question, would meet and alone choose a replacement nominee.  This scenario could play well for Orange County legislator and retired NY State Police commander James O’Donnell (R), who would quickly become a competitive candidate in a district that can elect a Republican.  In fact, when Rep. Maloney first won the seat in 2012, he defeated Republican incumbent Nan Hayworth.  Therefore, a Maloney statewide victory later this week would make an open 18th CD a race to watch.