NY primaries have it all: Democratic Socialist upstarts, underdog pol targeting AOC and even an ex-con

Upstart Democratic Socialists, an underdog businessman seeking to topple Rep.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and ex-con Hiram Monserrate are among those seeking office in New York’s primary elections June 25.The primary’s nine days of early voting started Saturday.Lefty Democratic Socialist incumbent Ocasio-Cortez faces off against little known moderate retired Wall Street banker Marty Dolan in the 14th Congressional District covering parts of The Bronx and Queens.AOC has tried to ignore her opponent — refusing to debate him — while running TV ads promoting her re-election bid.She has instead chosen to focus much of her attention on re-electing embattled fellow “Squad” member Rep.

Jamaal Bowman, who faces a formidable challenge from moderate George Latimer, the Westchester County executive.AOC is organizing a rally for Bowman on Saturday with Vermont Sen.

Bernie Sanders.In the 1st Congressional District, which covers most of Suffolk County on Long Island — including its tony East End — several Democrats are hoping to win the party nod to run for Republican Lee Zeldin’s former House seat and take on first-term GOP incumbent Nick LaLota.Centrist John Avlon — a former Rudy Giuliani mayoral speech writer and CNN analyst — will be facing off against liberal Stony Brook University Professor Nancy Goroff in the primary.Zeldin defeated Goroff in 2020 before relinquishing his seat to run for governor in 2022.Avlon has won the support of moderates such as Reps.

Tom Suozzi of Long Island, Gregory Meeks of Queens and Dan Goldman of lower Manhattan/Brooklyn, as well as state Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs, also the neighboring Democratic leader in Nassau County.Women’s groups, including Emily’s List, are backing Goroff.Meanwhile, Democratic Socialist candidates are trying to topple incumbents in the state Assembly, and there is a Conservative Party primary fight that could impact a state Senate race in the Hudson Valley.A primary battle in the 56th...