What to know as early voting begins in New York, with key races to watch

Statewide contests take shape

New York voters will decide whether Democrats Kathy Hochul and Letitia James remain in their statewide roles. Hochul, a moderate Democrat from the Buffalo area, won a full term in 2022 by defeating Republican Lee Zeldin.

Since then, Hochul has spent considerable time downstate. She recently worked with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on expanded childcare access, and he campaigned with her Friday and shared supportive campaign videos on social media.

Republican Bruce Blakeman has focused his gubernatorial campaign on crime and taxes. President Donald Trump endorsed him, and Blakeman appeared with Trump at a Syracuse rally in early October.

Attorney general race draws attention

James is challenged by Republican Saritha Komatireddy, a former chief of staff at the Drug Enforcement Administration. James drew national attention with a 2022 lawsuit against Trump, his company and family members over alleged inflation of his net worth. The lawsuit resulted in a $454 million civil fraud judgment, which an appeals court threw out in 2025. Komatireddy, previously not widely known in New York, has attracted social media attention with campaign materials using the phrase “just fight crime.”

House contests could prove pivotal

New York’s House races could help determine which party controls the chamber for the next two years. In the 17th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler is seeking to keep his seat against Conley; the article does not give Conley’s first name.

Other political developments

Elise Stefanik had planned to seek the Republican gubernatorial nomination, but later withdrew from that race and said she would not seek reelection to the House. The article identifies Hochul and James as Democrats seeking additional terms, and names Blakeman and Komatireddy as their Republican challengers.