New York State 2020 Primary Election Summary
New York’s primary elections were held on June 23, 2020. For the first time in the State’s history, all eligible voters were permitted to vote by absentee ballot, after Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order in May. The State Board of Elections estimates that 1.7 million voters requested an absentee ballot. This is substantially larger than the 157,000 absentee ballots counted in 2016. As a result of this large uptick in absentee voters, final vote totals may not be known for several weeks.
In addition to the Democratic Presidential primary (won by presumptive nominee Joe Biden) and primary races for congressional and state legislative seats, a special election was held for the vacant 27th Congressional District in Western New York. At the state level, there are more than 30 open seats in the Legislature, with various elected officials stepping down, retiring, or running for other elected positions. At the federal level there are four open seats, including the 27th congressional district.
Although most incumbents won re-election, there were several incumbents ousted or being seriously challenged with absentee ballots outstanding. At the Congressional level, Eliot Engel lost his bid for re-election and Carolyn Maloney is in a close race with Suraj Patel. In the State Legislature, multiple Assemblymembers in New York City either lost to or trailed candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America. A DSA-backed candidate also won a primary for a Brooklyn State Senate Seat. The outcome of these New York City primary races will ultimately determine the winner of the November general election due to enrollment numbers within districts that skew heavily in favor of the Democrats.
Below you will find the results from several key races. For a complete list of primary election results, visit the State Board of Elections website.
SPECIAL ELECTION – CD-27
In the race to fill this vacant seat, State Senator Chris Jacobs (R) defeated Nate McMurray (D) with 292 of 342 districts reporting. Jacobs also won the primary race held to determine the Republican candidate for the November general election.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Chris Jacobs (R/I) | 68.66% | 51,551 |
| Nate McMurray (D/WF) | 28.70% | 21,547 |
| Michael Gammariello (GRE) | 0.56% | 424 |
| Duane Whitmer (LBT) | 1.13% | 851 |
CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARIES – OPEN SEATS
CD-2
In the race to replace Congressman Pete King, Jackie Gordon (D) and Andrew Garbarino (R) were on their way to winning their primaries, with 369 out of 524 election districts reporting.
Democratic Primary
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Jackie Gordon | 71.26% | 7,310 |
| Patricia Maher | 24.65% | 2,529 |
Republican Primary
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Andrew Garbarino | 64.28% | 5,749 |
| Mike LiPietri | 34.59% | 3,094 |
CD-15 (Democratic Primary)
In the race to replace Jose Serrano, Ritchie Torres had a sizeable lead with all districts reporting.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Ritchie Torres | 29.44% | 12,421 |
| Tomas Ramos | 2.53% | 1,068 |
| Samelyz Lopez | 12.77% | 5,377 |
| Melissa Mark-Viverito | 3.74% | 1,579 |
| Frangrell Basora | 0.33% | 139 |
| Michael Blake | 18.74% | 7,905 |
| Ruben Diaz Sr. | 14.30% | 1,632 |
| Mark Escoffrey Bey | 0.28% | 117 |
| Chivona Newsome | 2.47% | 1,041 |
| Ydanis Rodriguez | 11.02% | 4,648 |
| Julio Pabon | 0.40% | 170 |
| Marlene Tapper | 0.67% | 284 |
CD-17 (Democratic Primary)
In the race to replace Nita Lowey, Mondaire Jones won with more than 40 percent of the vote.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Mondaire Jones | 42.66% | 13,625 |
| Catherine Parker | 2.10% | 670 |
| Adam Schleifer | 19.58% | 6,253 |
| Allison Fine | 1.67% | 533 |
| Asha Castlebury | 2.88% | 921 |
| David Buchwald | 5.27% | 1,683 |
| Evelyn Farkas | 8.64% | 2,759 |
| David Carlucci | 12.39% | 3,958 |
OTHER NOTEWORTHY CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARIES
CD-10 (Democratic Primary)
House Judiciary Chair Jerrold Nadler (D) fended off two primary opponents on his way to winning the primary.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Jerrold Nadler | 60.13% | 19,411 |
| Lindsey Boylan | 24.43% | 7,886 |
| Jonathan Herzog | 12.15% | 3,923 |
CD-11 (Republican Primary)
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis won the primary in the race to take on Max Rose (D).
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Nicole Malliotakis | 69.56% | 12,952 |
| Joseph Caldarerra | 29.24% | 5,444 |
CD-12 (Democratic Primary)
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney leads in a close race against Suraj Patel with all precincts reporting.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Carolyn Maloney | 40.34% | 16,473 |
| Suraj Patel | 38.75% | 15,825 |
| Peter Harrison | 4.73% | 1,933 |
| Lauren Ashcroft | 12.90% | 5,268 |
CD-14 (Democratic Primary)
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez easily won her primary.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez | 69.56% | 27,460 |
| Michelle Caruso-Cabrera | 18.73% | 7,393 |
| Badrun Khan | 5.17% | 2,040 |
| Samuel Sloan | 2.36% | 932 |
CD-16 (Democratic Primary)
Jamaal Bowman won the primary over incumbent Eliot Engel.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Jamaal Bowman | 60.76% | 27,174 |
| Eliot Engel | 34.37% | 15,372 |
| Sammy Ravelo | 1.10% | 491 |
| Chris Fink | 1.49% | 668 |
| Andom Ghebreghiorgis | 0.67% | 300 |
CD-22 (Republican Primary)
With 452 of 484 precincts reporting, Claudia Tenney wins the primary, setting up a rematch against Anthony Brindisi (D) in November.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Claudia Tenney | 68.80% | 15,515 |
| George Phillips | 30.06% | 6,778 |
STATE SENATE PRIMARIES
SD-1 (Democratic Primary)
Laura Ahearn holds a small lead over Valerie Cartright with all districts reporting. The winner will face Anthony Palumbo in November for the seat held by retiring Senator Ken LaValle.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Laura Ahearn | 29.69% | 2,360 |
| Valerie Cartright | 26.67% | 2,120 |
| Nora Higgins | 4.48% | 356 |
| Skyler Johnson | 11.89% | 945 |
| Thomas Schiavoni | 22.79% | 1,812 |
SD-25 (Democratic Primary)
Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright lost to a candidate backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), in the race for the seat held by retiring Senator Velmanette Montgomery.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Tremaine Wright | 38.85% | 13,301 |
| Jason Salmon | 6.65% | 2,278 |
| Jabari Brisport | 49.98% | 17,113 |
SD-38
Justin Sweet (D) and William Weber (R) will face off in November general election for the seat held by David Carlucci.
Democratic Primary
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Justin Sweet | 39.08% | 6,482 |
| Elijah Reichlin-Melnick | 27.70% | 4,594 |
| Eudson T. Francois | 17.68% | 2,933 |
Republican Primary
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| William Weber | 65% | 2,771 |
| Matthew Weinberg | 30.49% | 1,300 |
SD-56 (Democratic Primary)
Jeremy Cooney won the primary in the seat held by retiring Senator Joseph Robach. Cooney will face Mike Barry (R).
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Jeremy Cooney | 41.47% | 4,087 |
| Sherita Traywick | 26.93% | 2,654 |
| Hilda Rosario Escher | 24.67% | 2,431 |
SD-61 (Democratic Primary)
Kim Smith has a lead of fewer than 500 votes with 110 of 111 precincts reporting. The winner will face Ed Rath in November in a race to fill the seat vacated by retiring Senator Mike Ranzenhofer.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Kim Smith | 38.66% | 3,418 |
| Jacqualine Berger | 33.34% | 2,948 |
| Joan Elizabeth Seamans | 17.74% | 1,569 |
STATE ASSEMBLY PRIMARIES
AD-2 (Democratic Primary)
Laura Jens-Smith won the primary to face off against Jodi Giglio (R) in a seat being vacated by Anthony Palumbo, who is running for State Senate.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Laura Jens-Smith | 72.12% | 1,772 |
| Williams Schleisner | 20.35% | 500 |
AD-31 (Democratic Primary)
Khaleel Anderson won the primary for a seat vacated by Michele Titus.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Richard David | 26.39% | 2,113 |
| Lisa George | 17.53% | 1,404 |
| Tavia Blakely | 3.55% | 284 |
| Shea Uzoigwe | 6.86% | 549 |
| Khaleel Anderson | 36.07% | 2,888 |
| Derick DeFlorimonte | 4.02% | 322 |
AD-34 (Democratic Primary)
Incumbent Michael DenDekker lost the race to progressive candidate Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Michael DenDekker | 20.87% | 1,417 |
| Nuala O’Doherty Naranjo | 12.55% | 852 |
| Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas | 37.03% | 2,514 |
| Angel Cruz | 7.36% | 500 |
| Joy Chowdhury | 13.89% | 943 |
AD-36 (Democratic Primary)
Incumbent Aravella Simotas trails the DSA-backed Zohran Mamdani.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Aravella Simotas | 43.20% | 3,639 |
| Zohran Mamdani | 50.19% | 4,228 |
AD-38 (Democratic Primary)
Incumbent Michael Miller lost to Jenifer Rajkumar.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Michael Miller | 24.51% | 1,300 |
| Jenifer Rajkumar | 49.47% | 2,624 |
| Joseph De Jesus | 20.89% | 1,108 |
AD-57 (Democratic Primary)
Incumbent Walter Mosley holds a lead of less than 600 votes over the DSA-backed Phara Souffrant Forrest, with all election districts reporting.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Walter Mosley | 49.80% | 7,482 |
| Phara Souffrant Forrest | 45.89% | 6,894 |
AD-64 (Republican Primary)
Michael Tannousis won the race and will compete for the seat vacated by Nicole Malliotakis.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Marko Kepi | 38.17% | 1,942 |
| Michael Tannousis | 60.20% | 3,063 |
AD-79 (Democratic Primary)
Chantel Jackson holds a slim lead over Cynthia Cox in a race for the seat held by Michael Blake, who ran for Congress.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| George Alvarez | 16.58% | 1,493 |
| Chantel Jackson | 24.67% | 2,222 |
| Cynthia Cox | 22.01% | 1,982 |
| Eric Stevenson | 12.25% | 1,103 |
| Elvis Santana | 11.79% | 1,062 |
| Dion Powell | 3.44% | 310 |
AD-85 (Democratic Primary)
Kenneth Burgos won in the race for a seat held by Marcos Crespo, who vacated the seat.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Kenneth Burgos | 51.71% | 3,541 |
| William Russell Moore | 34.54% | 2,365 |
AD-91 (Democratic Primary)
Incumbent Steven Otis lost to Meg Cameron.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Steven Otis | 36.39% | 1,438 |
| Meg Cameron | 50.32% | 2,071 |
AD-92 (Democratic Primary)
Jennifer Anna Williams leads incumbent Thomas Abinanti in a close race.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Jennifer Anna Williams | 44.87% | 2,464 |
| Thomas Abinanti | 40.11% | 2,203 |
AD-93 (Democratic Primary)
In the primary to replace outgoing Assemblyman David Buchwald, Chris Burdick has a small lead over Kristen Browde.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Jeremiah Frei-Pearson | 19.39% | 935 |
| Mark Jaffe | 6.37% | 307 |
| Chris Burdick | 29.46% | 1,421 |
| Alex Roithmayr | 8.85% | 427 |
| Kristen Browde | 26.77% | 1,291 |
AD-122 (Republican Primary)
In the primary to replace outgoing Assemblyman Clifford Crouch, Joe Angelino wins.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Victor Furman | 5.90% | 371 |
| Nicholas Libous | 14.02% | 882 |
| Joe Angelino | 73.76% | 4,641 |
| James Powers | 4.82% | 303 |
AD-124 (Republican Primary)
Incumbent Christopher Friend wins against REALTOR®, RC Ike.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Christopher Friend | 68.98% | 3,810 |
| RC Ike | 26.38% | 1,457 |
AD-125 (Democratic Primary)
Anna Kelles wins the primary for the seat held by retiring Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Jordan Lesser | 14.91% | 797 |
| Anna Kelles | 32.75% | 1,751 |
| Beau Harbin | 4.90% | 262 |
| Jason Leifer | 5.95% | 318 |
| Sujata Gibson | 14.96% | 800 |
| Seph Murtaugh | 19.47% | 1,041 |
| Lisa Hoeschele | 3.74% | 200 |
AD-131 (Republican Primary)
Jeff Gallahan wins the primary for the seat vacated by Brian Kolb.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Ann Marie Heizman | 7.36% | 110 |
| Cindy Wade | 27.24% | 407 |
| Jeff Gallahan | 42.30% | 632 |
| Jeff Shipley | 20.88% | 312 |
AD-136 (Democratic Primary)
Sarah Clarke wins the primary and will compete for the seat vacated by Jamie Romeo.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Sarah Clarke | 59.99% | 3,847 |
| Justin Wilcox | 27.74% | 1,779 |
| Nelson Lopatin | 5.19% | 333 |
AD-137 (Democratic Primary)
In the race to replace outgoing Assemblyman David Gantt, Demond Meeks wins.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| Ernest Flagler | 32.77% | 2,248 |
| Demond Meeks | 45.22% | 3,122 |
| Ann Lewis | 13.75% | 943 |
| Silvano Orsi | 2.60% | 178 |
AD-140 (Democratic Primary)
Kevin Stocker has a lead of less than 100 votes in the primary to fill the seat vacated by retiring Assemblyman Robin Schimminger.
| Candidate | Percent | Votes |
| William Conrad III | 46.89% | 1,419 |
| Kevin Stocker | 48.84% | 1,478 |