New York’s governor, Kathy Hochul, enjoys such deep and entrenched relationships within Democrat Party politics in the deep blue state that she is cruising to an all-but-certain easy victory in the primary election set to take place Tuesday, avoiding the intensive and public campaigning efforts that incumbent politicians make when their seats are up for grabs. But the marked rise in crime in New York City and other parts of the state has caused voters to associate the governor with failed policies and jeopardized her chances of reelection, experts say.
Though Hochul is not running unopposed—her primary challengers include Rep. Thomas Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams—she has not conducted her reelection campaign like a politician facing serious challenges. Sources such as Politico and the New York Times have run articles in recent days noting the low profile that Hochul has kept during the run-up to the June 28 primary vote. While her campaign has spent lavishly on advertising, Hochul has pursued a “Rose Garden” approach and largely eschewed public appearances and rallies, to the consternation even of certain of her fellow Democrats such as former Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.).
