WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Tuesday is primary day in New York state, including the north country.
Polls are open 6 AM to 9 PM.
The marquee contest of the day is the race between Anthony Constantino and Robert Smullen to secure the Republican nomination for the 21st congressional district.
That’s the seat currently held by Elise Stefanik, who is not running again. The 21st takes in much of northern New York, including all of St. Lawrence and Lewis counties, and the northernmost part of Jefferson County.
The race between Constantino and Smullen has been bitter and personal. Regardless of who wins, the question will be – can the Republican Party unite behind the winner?
The 21st is a Republican district and should be an easy win for either Constantino or Smullen. But there is so much bad blood between the two men, some party leaders worry there will be an opening for a Democrat to take the seat.
That Democrat could very well be Blake Gendebien, a St. Lawrence County farmer who declared for the seat early and has been a successful fund-raiser.
Gendebien faces Stuart Amoriell in what has been a quiet Democratic primary.
Another quiet Democratic primary: the race between two women to be the nominee to run against Claudia Tenney in November in NY-24.
The district stretches across upstate New York, and takes in a majority of Jefferson County.
Whether Alissa J. Ellman or Diana K. Kastenbaum wins the Democratic primary, they’ll face an uphill battle against Tenney, who occupies the most Republican voting disttrict in the state.
Also on the Democratic side, two men are running for the 120th state assembly district, which covers part of southern Jefferson County.
Timothy Allers and Jim Cannon are competing to be the Democratic candidate to replace Republican Will Barclay, who is not running again.
There is a statewide primary for state comptroller on the Democratic side, with longtime comptroller Tom DiNapoli facing a challenge from Drew Warshaw and Raj Goyle.
In Jefferson County, there is one primary for county legislature, (it’s Republican, as is the entire legislature) where Spike Decker is trying to unseat incumbent Christopher S. Boulio in District 10.
Also in Jefferson County, there’s a three way Republican primary for Town of Orleans highway superinendent. Joshua Minnick, Lukus L. Smith and Brian W. Eckert are the candidates.
There’s a Republican primary in the Town of Rutland for town justice. Candidates are Matthew P. Flynn and Karen E. Sheehan.
Katelyn S. Macklen and Paula Ann Molnar are both seeking the Republican nomination for town clerk in the Town of Worth.
Jenna Tomas and Craig S. Howard are vying for one seat on the Philadelphia village board.
In St. Lawrence County, there is also one primary for county legislature. Troy Besaw and Harry Smithers II are both seeking the Republican nomination for the job.
There’s a Republican primary for Town clerk in the Town of Clare. Candidates are Crystal Briggs and Jessica Hance.
In the Town of Fowler, there is a three way Republican primary to fill what’s left of the highway superintendent’s term. Matthew Cunningham, Ryan S. Gollinger and Paul Brent Johnson, Jr. are competing for the nomination.
Since Lewis County is part of the 21st congressional district, both Republicans and Democrats in the county will have a chance to vote on who they want to send to Washington to replace Elise Stefanik.
There are also Republican primaries for Croghan supervisor (Larry Boliver versus Mona Peebles) and Harrisburg clerk (Sadie Snyder versus Suzanne Unger).
7 News will have “all hands on deck” Tuesday night, with live reports from across the north country at 10 PM on Fox 28, and at 11 PM on WWNY.
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