New York Attorney General election, 2018 (September 13 Democratic primary)

Elections in New York, 2018

* General election: Nov. 6
* Voter registration deadline: Oct. 12
* Early voting: N/A
* Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 6

* Online registration: Yes
* Same-day registration: No
* Voter ID: No
* Poll times: 6:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m.

* * *

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New York Attorney General

Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: July 12, 2018State/local filing deadline
Primary: September 13, 2018
General: November 6, 2018

* * *

Pre-election incumbent(s):
Barbara Underwood (Democrat)
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New York City Public Advocate Letitia "Tish" James won the Democratic primary for New York attorney general.

The primary became competitive when Eric Schneiderman (D), the former incumbent, resigned May 7 over physical abuse allegations.[1] James and the other three Democratic candidates vying to replace him—law professor Zephyr Teachout, U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, and former Hillary Clinton aide Leecia Eve— said they would use the office to oppose President Donald Trump. Schneiderman gained national attention for investigating Trump's business and charitable activities in New York.[2]

James was endorsed by the Democratic Party of New York at its May 2018 convention and by other party leaders in the state including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.[3][4]

Teachout and Maloney said they would be more independent from Cuomo than James and would potentially investigate the Cuomo administration.[5][6]

Teachout ran on a progressive platform that included investigating corporations for fraud, decreasing incarceration rates, pursuing antitrust action against Google and Facebook, and potentially investigating Cuomo for misusing state resources.[7][8] The New York Times, 14th District congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon endorsed her.[9][10]

Maloney, who was simultaneously running for re-election to his swing congressional seat, emphasized that he was the first openly gay man elected to Congress from New York and would use the attorney general's office to advocate on LGBTQ issues.[11] He criticized James for her endorsements, saying it showed her campaign was "propped up by insiders and the political machine."[12]

New York Solicitor General Barbara Underwood replaced Schneiderman as the interim attorney general and was later selected by the state legislature to fill the rest of his 2015-2018 term, becoming the first woman to hold the position.[13] After taking over, Underwood filed a lawsuit against the Trump Foundation alleging that the foundation illegally coordinated with Trump's presidential campaign and was used to benefit Trump's business interests.[14]

Two previous attorneys general, Cuomo and Eliot Spitzer (D), were later elected governor of New York.[15]

## Contents

* 1 Candidates and election results
* 2 Candidate profiles
* 2.1 Leecia Eve
* 2.2 Letitia "Tish" James
* 2.3 Sean Patrick Maloney
* 2.4 Zephyr Teachout
* 3 Timeline
* 4 Endorsements
* 4.1 Maloney's response to James' endorsements
* 4.2 New York Times endorsement of Teachout
* 5 Debates and forums
* 5.1 Sept. 6 debate
* 5.2 Sept. 4 forum
* 5.3 Aug. 28 debate
* 5.4 Aug. 22 debate
* 6 Campaign strategies and tactics
* 6.1 Opposition to Trump administration
* 6.2 Independence from Cuomo
* 6.3 Sheriff of Wall Street moniker
* 6.4 Campaign ads
* 6.4.1 Sean Patrick Maloney
* 6.4.1.1 Support
* 6.4.2 Zephyr Teachout
* 6.4.2.1 Support
* 7 How did the candidates differ?
* 7.1 Government entities charged with investigating public corruption
* 7.2 New York City bill limiting ride-sharing licenses
* 8 Campaign finance
* 9 Satellite spending
* 10 Polls
* 11 Campaign themes and policy stances
* 11.1 Leecia Eve
* 11.2 Tish James
* 11.3 Zephyr Teachout
* 12 Noteworthy events
* 12.1 Democratic and Working Families conventions in May 2018
* 12.2 Eric Schneiderman resignation and replacement by Barbara Underwood
* 12.3 Maloney running for Congress and attorney general
* 12.4 Real estate industry support for Maloney
* 13 Media coverage
* 14 Context of the 2018 election
* 14.1 Past elections
* 14.1.1 2014
* 15 Voter information
* 15.1 How the primary works
* 15.2 Poll times
* 15.3 Registration requirements
* 15.4 Automatic registration
* 15.5 Online registration
* 15.6 Same-day registration
* 15.7 Residency requirements
* 15.8 Verification of citizenship
* 15.9 Verifying your registration
* 15.10 Voter ID requirements
* 15.10.1 Background
* 15.11 Early voting
* 15.12 Absentee voting
* 16 State profile
* 16.1 Presidential voting pattern
* 16.1.1 Pivot Counties (2016)
* 16.1.2 Pivot Counties (2020)
* 17 Pivot Counties
* 17.1 Presidential results by legislative district
* 18 See also
* 19 External links
* 20 Footnotes

## Candidates and election results[edit]

Letitia James defeated Zephyr Teachout, Sean Maloney, and Leecia Eve in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of New York on September 13, 2018.

Democratic primary election

#####  Democratic primary for Attorney General of New York

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Letitia James |

40.3

| 608,308

| Zephyr Teachout |

31.0

| 468,083

| Sean Maloney |

25.1

| 379,099

| Leecia Eve |

3.5

| 52,367

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 1,507,857

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

## Candidate profiles[edit]

###  Leecia Eve[edit]

After working for Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Andrew Cuomo, Eve ran for New York attorney general with goals of "defending the fundamental rights of our citizens," "ensuring consumers are protected," "combatting housing discrimination," and "safeguarding our environmental resources."[16]

When launching her campaign in late May 2018, she said her priority was continuing former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's legal actions against Trump administration policies, particularly those related to violence against women and immigration, and emphasized her experience in government and policy.[17]

Eve's professional experience includes serving as the vice president of government affairs for Verizon Wireless, serving as a commissioner of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, working in the Cuomo administration as deputy secretary for economic development, and working for Biden and Clinton where they were U.S. senators. She attended Smith College and Harvard Law School. Her father was New York Assemblyman Arthur Eve.[16]

###  Letitia "Tish" James[edit]

James, the New York City public advocate, ran for New York attorney general with the support of the state's Democratic Party and prominent leaders including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley, state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. She was endorsed by 85 percent of delegates at New York's Democratic convention in May 2018.

Her campaign website indicates her opposition to the Trump administration, support for the #MeToo movement and women's movements in general, and desire to advocate for consumer protections from banks and corporations.[18]

James was first elected as New York City's public advocate in 2013 and was re-elected in 2017. Prior to that, she served on the New York City Council as a member from Brooklyn and headed the Brooklyn Regional Office of the New York State Attorney General’s Office. She received her bachelor's degree from Lehman College and her J.D. from Howard University.[19]

###  Sean Patrick Maloney[edit]

Maloney, a sitting member of the U.S. House, announced on June 6 he would run for attorney general. He said he would continue running for Congress if he did not win the September 13 Democratic primary.[5] New York's primary for federal elections was on June 26, and Maloney ran unopposed in the 18th Congressional District's Democratic primary.

His campaign Twitter account indicated his opposition to the Trump administration's policies, intent to take legal action if special counsel Robert Mueller was removed from his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, and support for pro-LGBTQ policies.[11]

Maloney was first elected to the U.S. House in 2012. He was the first openly gay member of Congress from New York. Prior to serving in Congress, he worked for New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer and President Bill Clinton and as an attorney. He received his B.A. and J.D. from the University of Virginia.

###  Zephyr Teachout[edit]

Teachout, a law professor at Fordham, ran for New York attorney general on a progressive platform. She unsuccessfully challenged Andrew Cuomo from the left in the 2014 Democratic gubernatorial primary and lost to John Faso (R) in New York's 19th Congressional District in 2016. She was endosed by Bernie Sanders in her 2016 race.[20]

Her campaign website listed her priorities as opposing the Trump administration, confronting corruption in state government, investigating financial fraud by corporations, and advocating against increased levels of incarceration.[7] She also spoke in favor of restarting a Moreland Commission to investigate public corruption and curbing the digital advertising power of Google and Facebook.[21][22]

Prior to the primary, Teachout worked with Citizens for Responsibility in Ethics in Washington to file lawsuits against the Trump administration related to alleged violations of the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. After the 2008 financial crisis, she formed the group A New Way Forward to advocate for increased financial regulations. She became a professor at Fordham Law School in 2009 and wrote a history of anti-corruption laws in the United States. She received her bachelor's degree from Yale University and her J.D. from Duke University.[7]

## Timeline[edit]

* September 10, 2018: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) endorsed Zephyr Teachout.
* September 10, 2018: A Siena College poll found Sean Patrick Maloney with 25 percent, Tish James with 24 percent, Zephyr Teachout with 18 percent, and Leecia Eve with 3 percent. Thirty percent of voters were undecided.
* September 7, 2018: The Committee for Justice and Fairness PAC began running a $100,000 digital ad campaign opposing Zephyr Teachout.
* September 6, 2018: U.S. Reps. Joe Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas) endorsed Sean Patrick Maloney.
* September 5, 2018: Campaign finance disclosures from September 2018 showed that Sean Patrick Maloney had raised nearly $3.5 million and had about $490,000 in cash on hand, Tish James had raised more than $2 million and had about $870,000 in cash on hand, Zephyr Teachout had raised about $1.3 million and had about $500,000 in cash on hand, and Leecia Eve had raised about $480,000 and had about $43,000 in cash on hand.
* August 28, 2018: The four candidates met in a debate hosted by NY1. During the debate, James, Maloney, and Eve criticized Teachout on campaign finance and gun policy as well as Teachout's previous runs for office. Read more below.
* August 26, 2018: The New York Daily News endorsed Zephyr Teachout.
* August 21, 2018: The New York State AFL-CIO endorsed Tish James.
* August 19, 2018: The New York Times endorsed Zephyr Teachout.
* August 14, 2018: The candidates met in a forum focused on technology and discussed New York City's bill that limited licenses for ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft. See full coverage here.
* August 9, 2018: Tish James announced endorsements from eight Democratic members of New York City's congressional delegation.[23]
* August 8, 2018: Zephyr Teachout and 2018 gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon endorsed each other.
* August 7, 2018: EMILY's List endorsed Tish James.
* July 31, 2018: A poll from Siena College showed Tish James with 25 percent, Sean Patrick Maloney with 16 percent, Zephyr Teachout with 13 percent, and Leecia Eve with 4 percent. Forty-two percent of voters were undecided.
* July 31, 2018: Campaign finance disclosures from July 2018 showed that Tish James had raised $1.17 million and had $991,000 in cash on hand, Sean Patrick Maloney had raised $1.13 million and had $981,000 in cash on hand, Zephyr Teachout had raised $390,000 and had $315,000 in cash on hand, and Leecia Eve had raised $300,000 and had $250,000 in cash on hand.
* July 18, 2018: A poll from Quinnipiac University showed Tish James with 26 percent, Sean Patrick Maloney with 15 percent, Zephyr Teachout with 12 percent, and Leecia Eve with 3 percent. Forty-four percent of voters were undecided.
* July 12, 2018: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Zephyr Teachout.
* June 7, 2018: A poll from Siena College taken before Sean Patrick Maloney entered the race showed 47 percent of voters undecided, 28 percent supporting Tish James, 18 percent supporting Zephyr Teachout, and 4 percent supporting Leecia Eve.
* June 6, 2018: Sean Patrick Maloney announced he was running. He said he would continue running for his U.S. House seat.[5]
* May 29, 2018: U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D) announced that he was forming an exploratory committee to run for attorney general.[24]
* May 23, 2018: At the New York State Democratic Convention, Tish James received the Democratic Party line with the support of 85 percent of the delegates. Leecia Eve and Zephyr Teachout, who both said they would petition their way onto the ballot, received about 9 percent and 5 percent, respectively.[25]
* May 22, 2018: Gov. Andrew Cuomo endorsed Tish James.
* May 22, 2018: The New York State Legislature voted 191-1 for Barbara Underwood to fill the rest of Eric Schneiderman's 2015-2018 term.
* May 21, 2018: Leecia Eve, a former aide to Hillary Clinton and Andrew Cuomo, announced she would run.[26]
* May 19, 2018: The Working Families Party nominated a placeholder candidate in the attorney after Tish James, its preferred candidate, did not attend its state convention. Zephyr Teachout was also authorized to receive the party line.
* May 16, 2018: New York City Public Advocate Letitia "Tish" James and law professor Zephyr Teachout announced they would run for attorney general.[27]
* May 7, 2018: Attorney General Eric Schneiderman (D) resigned after being accused of sexual abuse. Solicitor General Barbara Underwood became acting attorney general.

## Endorsements[edit]

Democratic candidate endorsements

Endorsement  |  Eve | James[28] | Maloney | Teachout
Individuals
Gov. Andrew Cuomo[29] |  | ✔ |  |
Lieutenant. Gov. Kathy Hochul[30] |  | ✔ |  |
U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley[4] |  | ✔ |  |
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng[23] |  | ✔ |  |
U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez[23] |  | ✔ |  |
U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries[23] |  | ✔ |  |
U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke[23] |  | ✔ |  |
U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney[23] |  | ✔ |  |
U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat[23] |  | ✔ |  |
U.S. Rep. José Serrano[23] |  | ✔ |  |
U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel[23] |  | ✔ |  |
U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks[23] |  | ✔ |  |
State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie |  | ✔ |  |
State Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle |  | ✔ |  |
State Sen. Michael Gianaris[29] |  | ✔ |  |
State Sen. Roxanne Persaud[30] |  | ✔ |  |
State Asw. Earlene Hooper |  | ✔ |  |
State Asw. Crystal Peoples-Stokes[31] |  | ✔ |  |
State Asw. Deborah Glick[32] |  | ✔ |  |
State Asw. Catherine Nolan[32] |  | ✔ |  |
State Asm. Tremaine Wright[30] |  | ✔ |  |
State Asw. Latrice Walker[30] |  | ✔ |  |
New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson |  | ✔ |  |
New York City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo |  | ✔ |  |
New York City Councilman Ritchie Torres[33] |  | ✔ |  | ✔
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown[31] |  | ✔ |  |
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan[32] |  | ✔ |  |
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren[34] |  | ✔ |  |
Albany City Council President Corey Ellis[32] |  | ✔ |  |
Westchester County Executive George Latimer[35] |  | ✔ |  |
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano[35] |  | ✔ |  |
White Plains Mayor Tom Roach[35] |  | ✔ |  |
Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy[36] |  | ✔ |  |
Coalition of Latino community leaders |  | ✔ |  |
U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-Mass.)[37] |  |  | ✔  |
U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas)[37] |  |  | ✔  |
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)[38] |  |  |  | ✔
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez[39] |  |  |  | ✔
Cynthia Nixon[9] |  |  |  | ✔
State Sen. Liz Krueger[40] |  |  |  | ✔
Assemblyman Phil Steck[41] |  |  |  | ✔
New York City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer[42] |  |  |  | ✔[43]
Ithica Mayor Svante Myrick[44] |  |  |  | ✔
Chirlane McCray, wife of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio[45] |  |  |  | ✔
Activist Shaun King[32] |  |  |  | ✔
Roberta Kaplan, respondent's attorney in United States v. Windsor[46] |  |  |  | ✔
State Senate candidate Rachel May[47] |  |  |  | ✔
Former Clinton aides Harold M. Ickes and Ann Lewis[48] | ✔  |  |  |
Basil Smikle, a former executive director of the New York Democratic Party[48] | ✔  |  |  |
Organizations
New York Democratic Party |  | ✔ |  |
EMILY's List[49] |  | ✔ |  |
New York State AFL-CIO[50] |  | ✔ |  |
New York State Nurses Association[3] |  | ✔ |  |
Communications Workers of America Local 1180[3] |  | ✔ |  |
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union[3] |  | ✔ |  |
Services Employees International Union 32BJ |  | ✔ |  |
Services Employees International Union 1199 |  | ✔ |  |
United Food and Commercial Worker Local 2013[51] |  | ✔ |  |
Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York[51] |  | ✔ |  |
Construction Workers of America District One[51] |  | ✔ |  |
Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club[52] |  | ✔ |  |
Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn[53] |  | ✔ |  |
Downtown Independent Democrats[54] |  | ✔ |  |
Tenants PAC[54] |  | ✔ |  |
Immigrant Action[55] |  | ✔ |  |
Newsday[56] |  | ✔ |  |
Victory Fund[32] |  |  | ✔  |
The New York Times[10] |  |  |  | ✔
The New York Daily News[57] |  |  |  | ✔
The Nation[58] |  |  |  | ✔
The Buffalo News[59] |  |  |  | ✔
Our Revolution[40] |  |  |  | ✔
Progressive Change Campaign Committee[40] |  |  |  | ✔
The People for Bernie[60] |  |  |  | ✔
Indivisible Brooklyn[32] |  |  |  | ✔
New York Communities for Change[61] |  |  |  | ✔
Make the Road Action[55] |  |  |  | ✔
The Albany Times-Union[62] | ✔  |  |  |
Erie County Democratic Committee[32] | ✔  |  |  |
Arturo Schomburg Democratic Club[32] | ✔  |  |  |

### Maloney's response to James' endorsements[edit]

In August 2018, City and State New York asked Sean Patrick Maloney what he thought about the number of endorsements James received. Maloney said the following:[12]

“  |

I hope she does more of that. I hope she keeps running a campaign that is propped up by insiders and the political machine. That’s her race. My race is not to rely on the governor’s fundraising or the endorsements of Albany insiders or political bosses.

I think that is a losing strategy, and it is a terrible message right now when the Democratic Party voters I talk to want the Democratic Party blown up and rebuilt. The Democrats I talk to want change. They want something new and different. They want people who speak from the heart. They don’t want somebody phoning it in. They don’t want somebody picked because of somebody else’s political agenda or some inside deal.

Every time I watch Tish James get some political endorsement from the insiders, I secretly rejoice. That’s like every time you hear a bell ring, an angel gets its wings. Every time I see her trot out some Assembly person or party hack or city councilman, I think we’re going to win this race. But I’ll let her run her own campaign, and see where we end up on Sept. 13. [63]

|  ”

|
|

### New York Times endorsement of Teachout[edit]

On August 19, Teachout was endorsed by the New York Times. Politico wrote, "Zephyr Teachout said that when the New York Times endorsed her bid for attorney general on Sunday, she dropped her phone. It's easy to see why: For a candidate in a close Democratic primary, the Grey Lady's imprimatur is a welcome seal of approval. It helped catapult Eric Schneiderman to the front of the field in 2010, when he was running to succeed Andrew Cuomo as the state's top law enforcement officer."[40]

Politico also said that the Times endorsement "certainly generated immediate attention, and, Teachout's camp hopes, momentum. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted support, and Our Revolution — an organization with roots in Bernie Sanders' campaign — announced its endorsement. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee backed her as 'a powerful check on Trump's rampant self-dealing practices.'"[40]

Politico added, "[James]' base of support is deepest in predominately African-American neighborhoods in Central Brooklyn, which she represented in in the City Council, but she has announced endorsements from mayors in several upstate cities and on Long Island. It's unclear whether the Times endorsement will make as much of a difference in these precincts as it will in neighborhoods dominated by white liberals, who in the past have been dominant in Democratic primaries."[40]

State Sen. Liz Krueger, a Democrat representing the Upper East Side of Manhattan and a Teachout supporter, said, "No one really knows who's coming out to vote on a Thursday in September, and what numbers and where. It's my experience in a district that is ground zero for New York Times editorial readers ... that prime Democrats ... will absolutely be looking to the Times position to separate where they are in a field of four candidates, when many of them perhaps have not been as focused as you and I."[40]

Teachout's campaign told The Intercept that she received more than $200,000 in donations in the five days following the endorsement.[64]

## Debates and forums[edit]

### Sept. 6 debate[edit]

The four candidates met in a forum hosted by The Cooper Union. It was moderated by former federal prosecutor Preet Bharara and WNYC host Brian Lehrer

"Cooper Union debate," September 6, 2018

* See the WNYC roundup here.
* See the New York Times roundup here.

### Sept. 4 forum[edit]

The four candidates met in a forum hosted by the New York City Bar Association.

"New York City Bar Association debate," September 4, 2018

### Aug. 28 debate[edit]

The four candidates met in a debate hosted by NY1. During the debate, James, Maloney, and Eve criticized Teachout on campaign finance and gun policy as well as Teachout's previous runs for office.

* See the Politico roundup here.
* See The Intercept roundup here.
* See the New York Daily News roundup here.

Please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org if you have a video of this debate.

### Aug. 22 debate[edit]

The four candidates met in a debate hosted by MNN NYC.

"MNN NYC debate," August 22, 2018

## Campaign strategies and tactics[edit]

### Opposition to Trump administration[edit]

Leecia Eve, Tish James, Sean Patrick Maloney, and Zephyr Teachout all said they would use the New York attorney general's office to oppose President Donald Trump and his policies. This would be in line with the actions of the previous attorney general, Eric Schneiderman, who investigated Trump's private activities related to nonprofits before he became president and challenged his immigration policies after he became president. According to the New York Times, "Mr. Schneiderman emerged as the most visible attorney general taking on Mr. Trump."[65][66]

Teachout called for abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to its enforcement of immigration policy under the Trump administration and said she would use the New York attorney general position to prosecute the agency.[67] Teachout pressed Schneiderman to investigate Trump for violating the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution. In January 2018, she filed a federal lawsuit against him alleging that his business interests constituted a violation of the Emoluments Clause, which prohibits public officials from receiving gifts from foreign nations without Congress' approval.[68]

Barbara Underwood, who replaced Schneiderman following his resignation, filed a lawsuit against the Trump Foundation on June 14 alleging that the foundation illegally coordinated with Trump's presidential campaign and was used to benefit Trump's business interests.[14]

### Independence from Cuomo[edit]

Sean Patrick Maloney and Zephyr Teachout both said that they were independent from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, which they said was necessary to be an effective attorney general. Tish James was endorsed by Cuomo.

Teachout told WCBS 880 that she would take on Cuomo on corruption, claiming that he halted an investigation before it implicated his donors.[69]

She later said told the New York Daily News “when you have this tornado of corruption scandals, it’s clearly time for an independent attorney general to make this a priority.” She said she wanted to restart a Moreland Commission to investigate public corruption.[6]

When asked why he was running against James when she was the state party's choice, Maloney said, "[i]f someone wants to make an argument that what we need is the choice of the insiders or somebody that won't rock the boat, I mean, I think what you need in this job is somebody who says 'I don't care if you're the president of the United States or the governor of New York or some billionaire. If you break the law, I'm going to take you down."

Maloney ran against Cuomo for attorney general in 2006. However, he endorsed him in his 2018 re-election bid and, according to Politico "has a close relationship with the governor he's promised to hold accountable."[5] In an interview with City and State New York, Maloney said, "I think he’s a good governor. But I don’t think he should pick the attorney general. Let me ask you this: How is an attorney general going to look at the Buffalo Billion if you’re in Andrew Cuomo’s back pocket? So I think what this state deserves is someone with real independence and an independent ability to get elected and do the job."[12]

James contended that she would be independent of Cuomo despite receiving his endorsement. She said she wanted the state legislature to pass a law allowing the attorney general to investigate corruption without receiving a referral from the governor.[6][70]

On September 10, Teachout said she would investigate Cuomo for potentially using state resources while campaigning if she was elected.[8]

### Sheriff of Wall Street moniker[edit]

When he served as New York Attorney General from 1999 to 2006, Eliot Spitzer (D) called himself "The Sheriff of Wall Street" due to his investigations of investment firms located in lower Manhattan.[71]

In an interview with the New York Times, Tish James said it was “critically important” that she “not be known as the ‘Sheriff on Wall Street.’”

Her rivals criticized her for the statement.

Zephyr Teachout said she “can’t wait to be known as the Sheriff of Wall Street, the Nightwatchwoman, the Avenger: you name it. The New York Attorney General must be the regulator of last resort and protect New Yorkers from financial frauds and consumer rip-offs and out of control speculators.”

Sean Patrick Maloney said, “You sure as hell better be the Sheriff of Wall Street because that is the job title. You have to walk and chew gum at the same time.” He added that James “either doesn’t understand the office or have the right priorities.”

James responded to their criticisms by saying, “The attorney general cannot be a one-trick pony. I will be laser-focused on taking on Wall Street abuses — I don’t need a moniker for that.” She said she would also focus on other priorities, including the environment, gun policy, and immigration and that “[a]nyone suggesting otherwise is doing a disservice to the powers of the office and the people of New York.”

Teachout also criticized Maloney for his record on Wall Street, saying, “You can’t be the Sheriff of Wall Street if you are awash in corporate cash and voted to roll back Dodd-Frank regulations.”

Maloney said he voted to roll back the regulations in order to help small banks in New York.[72]

### Campaign ads[edit]

#### Sean Patrick Maloney[edit]

##### Support[edit]

"La Lucha," released September 7, 2018

"F Words," released September 5, 2018

"Constitutional Crisis," released September 5, 2018

"Bullseye," released September 4, 2018

"Dear Mr. Trump," released September 3, 2018

"Daniel," digital ad released August 31, 2018

"Maria," released August 21, 2018

"The Fight," released August 7, 2018

#### Zephyr Teachout[edit]

##### Support[edit]

"Being a parent and being in power shouldn’t be in conflict for a woman anymore than for a man," released September 10, 2018

"Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Endorses our Campaign," released August 24, 2018

## How did the candidates differ?[edit]

### Government entities charged with investigating public corruption[edit]

Tish James, Leecia Eve, and Zephyr Teachout took different stances on government entities charged with investigating public corruption in interviews with the Gotham Gazette.[15]

Teachout said the Seth Agata, the chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Ethics (JCOPE), should resign because the organization was ineffective and beholden to political insiders. Eve said Agata conducted himself well in her dealings with him and that Teachout's call for his resignation was a publicity stunt. James said that the commission had problems but that there should be an investigation before the director resigned. She later told WBFO she believed the JCOPE should be entirely dismantled and reestablished as a new entity with "actual teeth and independence.”[70]

Teachout called for a new Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption, citing corruption in the state government and saying Gov. Cuomo disbanded the previous commission prematurely to protect his donors. James said she did not think a new Moreland Commission should be a priority. Eve said she would seriously consider calling for another Moreland Commission.

The Gotham Gazette did not report answers to these questions from Sean Patrick Maloney.

### New York City bill limiting ride-sharing licenses[edit]

At a technology forum on August 14, Tish James, Sean Patrick Maloney, and Leecia Eve said they opposed a New York City bill that limited the licenses available for ride-sharing platforms like Uber and Lyft.[73]

James said, " Yellow taxis don't go to communities of color. They don't pick up people of color. Uber, Lyft, address these issues."[73]

Maloney said, “I’m very concerned when we start having politicians scratch around in constructive industries like ride-hailing.”[74]

Eve said, "ride-sharing services provide critical services for New Yorkers."[73]

Zephyr Teachout said she “supports the cap because we need to reduce congestion, break up concentrated power, and support drivers.”[74]

## Campaign finance[edit]

Campaign finance reports[75]

Candidate | Filing deadline | Contributions | Expenditures | Cash on Hand
Leecia Eve
July 2018 | $301,134.82 | $50,176.23 | $250,958.59
August 2018 | $42,318.04 | $133,724.23 | $159,552.40
September 2018 | $138,987.79 | $255,604.33 | $42,935.86
Total | $482,440.65 | $439,504.79 | $42,935.86
Tish James
July 2018 |  $1,165,897.55 | $174,417.04 | $991,177.20
August 2018 | $434,401.02 | $219,849.17 | $1,205,729.05
September 2018 | $428,265.97 | $766,638.46 | $867,356.56
Total | $2,028,564.54 | $1,160,904.67 | $867,356.56
Sean Patrick Maloney
July 2018 | $1,127,155.62 | $145,769.76 | $981,385.86
August 2018 | $696,248.84 | $882,562.96 | $795,071.74
September 2018 | $1,649,352.03 | $1,953,105.54 | $491,318.23
Total | $3,472,756.49[76] | $2,981,438.26 | $491,318.23
Zephyr Teachout
July 2018 | $389,024.37 | $217,665.84 | $217,825.81[77]
August 2018 | $369,507.80 | $112,998.67 | $474,334.94
September 2018 | $545,376.83 | $617,744.59 | $498,272.82
Total | $1,303,909.00 | $948,409.10 | $498,272.82

## Satellite spending[edit]

* The Committee for Justice and Fairness PAC spent $100,000 on a digital ad opposing Zephyr Teachout starting September 7. According to Sludge, the group's funding came from Stephen Ross, a real estate developer with ties to Sean Patrick Maloney.[78]

## Polls[edit]

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
New York attorney general election, Democratic primary

Poll | Poll sponsor | Leecia Eve | Tish James| Sean Patrick Maloney| Zephyr Teachout| Other/Undecided| Margin of error| Sample size
Siena College
September 4-7, 2018| Siena College | 3%| 24%| 25%| 18%| 30%| +/-4.3| 509
Siena College
July 22-26, 2018| Siena College | 4%| 25%| 16%| 13%| 42%| +/-3.9| 630
Quinnipiac University
July 12-16, 2018| Quinnipiac University | 3%| 26%| 15%| 12%| 44%| +/-6.2| 415
Siena College
June 4-7, 2018| Siena College | 4%| 28%| 0%| 18%| 51%| +/-3.7| 745
AVERAGES| |  3.5%|  25.75%|  14%|  15.25%|  41.75%|  +/-4.53|  574.75
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

## Campaign themes and policy stances[edit]

Campaign positions from the candidates are listed below, if available.

### Leecia Eve[edit]

Eve’s campaign website stated the following:

“  |

New Yorkers need a strong voice and a steady hand during these challenging times.

Whether it is defending the fundamental rights of our citizens, ensuring consumers are protected, combatting housing discrimination, or safeguarding our environmental resources, I will be an independent advocate for all New Yorkers.

As New York’s chief legal officer I will ensure that everyone has a fair shot and an opportunity to thrive, and establish legal standards that will stand the test of time.

New York currently faces unprecedented challenges — under attack by a federal administration that refuses to enforce, and seeks to roll back, progress we have fought hard to achieve.

With your support, I will protect and defend our state against those who would seek to undermine the rights of our citizens and help make New York stronger than ever. [63]

|  ”

|
|

—Leecia Eve’s campaign website (2018)[79]

### Tish James[edit]

James' campaign website stated the following:

“  |

Taking on Wall Street Abuses

Wall Street malfeasance has had devastating consequences in New York. It precipitated the foreclosure crisis, in which tens of thousands of families lost their homes, others faced an unrecovered loss in property values, and many jobs were lost. Ten years later, the Administration under President Donald Trump and the Republican Congress are weakening oversight by watering down the Dodd-Frank Act and undermining the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB).

At the same time as important federal reforms are being gutted, new and emerging risks threaten investors’ financial security. The combined effect of loosening controls on risky investments, growing debt, and an active market in collateralized debt, is a real threat to the American economy and the American people.

New York City is the center of the financial services industry and New York’s state laws provide one of the toughest mechanisms for oversight of that sector.

As Attorney General, I will have both the power and the responsibility to prosecute financial fraud that harms consumers and investors. I will:

Utilize the broad powers of the Martin Act to pursue investigations that protect shareholders and investors, including workers’ pension funds and savings.

Vigorously investigate fraudulent business practices by strengthening the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau.

Investigate and pursue actions into discriminatory and abusive payday lending, mortgage lending abuse, for-profit college student loans; and,

Scrutinize practices and industries that have benefited from deregulation under the Trump Administration, and those that are currently posing a significant threat to our economy.

Protecting Immigrants’ Rights

One in five people in New York State is an immigrant. While Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies harm all immigrants, they particularly impact children, poor people, and refugees, while undermining the very system of judicial process that protects us from tyranny. Immigrants -- with and without legal status -- are increasingly afraid to travel, to access essential services, and to simply live their everyday lives in the United States.

I am proud to have fought for immigrants’ rights in and out of the courtroom. As a pro bono attorney, I represented a child from Honduras in applying for, and obtaining, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. He came to New York after his father’s death and was scared to return to his home country because of gang violence. He is now free to live and work in the United States, recently graduated high school, and is a soccer player.

Earlier this summer, I acted as “next friend,” bringing a petition seeking a writ of habeas (court order) on behalf of a child forcibly separated from her mother at the border. The child had been traumatized by the separation and was terrified of being placed in a prison-like setting. The case resulted in the child and mother being reunified on July 27, 2018, and released without detention.

As Public Advocate, I have fought tirelessly on behalf of immigrants, immediately making submissions in the lawsuit challenging the Muslim ban, calling for Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) to discontinue its practice of detaining people seeking access to New York Courts, and making pleas for pardons that would justify termination of removal proceedings.

In this time of increased hostility towards immigrants, it is critically important that the New York Attorney General protects New Yorkers from federal policies that hurt them and fights perpetrators of fraud who manipulate fear for profit. As Attorney General, I commit to doing just that. If elected, ensuring that New York welcomes immigrants and safeguards their rights will be one of my top priorities. In addition to continuing the advocacy and legal work on behalf of immigrants I have done throughout my career, I will:

Bring legal action to keep ICE out of our courts: our system of justice cannot function if people are frightened to seek the protection of our courts or participate in the administration of justice.

Investigate companies profiting from Trump’s draconian policies: this administration’s immigration policies have led to a drastic increase in the number of immigration detainees, and publicly-traded companies are providing much of the necessary infrastructure.

Work with other Attorneys General to protect 18 to 21 year old children: because of an illegal change in policy by the Trump Administration, children who have been abused, abandoned and neglected are now at risk of deportation. I will join with other Attorneys General to give them a voice.

Bring legal action to stop a rule that will make immigrants fear public benefits: no one should be afraid of seeking emergency medical care or using food, housing, and subsistence benefits.

Establish an anonymous hotline for victims of discrimination based on immigration status.

Protecting New Yorkers from Gun Violence

Thirty-three thousand Americans die each year from gun violence. Approximately 5,500 of these deaths are homicides of young, men of color. In New York State, there are nearly 3,000 shootings each year.

The mass shootings that make the front pages and nightly news are devastating, but represent a fraction of the gun violence on our streets. This violence is devastating our families and communities, and is causing financial ruin to our local economies. It is estimated that gun violence costs New York State $5.6 billion each year.

New York State has the third lowest rate of gun deaths in the country. Strict gun control laws in the state have reduced gun violence over the decades, but homicides continue to plague low-income communities of color.

New York’s gun laws have made it exceedingly difficult to purchase a gun in the state, meaning that when a gun is used to commit a crime in New York, there is a 75 percent chance it was originally purchased in another state. In New York City, nearly 90 percent of crime guns originated elsewhere.

Having strong gun laws in New York State is not enough. Particularly with the NRA waging a full-throated propaganda campaign to thwart any common sense gun laws passing at the federal level. New York has long been a leader in the fight against gun violence, but we must do more to make our laws even more comprehensive, ramp up enforcement of the laws already on the books, and use creative thinking to make up for obstruction on the federal level and lax gun laws in other states.

As Public Advocate, I have used my office to fight the scourge of gun violence. I led the way on divesting New York City’s largest pension fund from gun retailers, stood up to banks that funded the makers of assault weapons, took on Walmart and pushed them to change their gun sale policies, took action against gun makers that failed to disclose risks to their shareholders, and successfully advocated for increased funding for the public health model of gun violence prevention.

As Attorney General, I will:

Investigate the legitimacy of the NRA as a charitable institution;

Investigate arms dealers and enforce prohibitions against the sale of illegal firearms;

Go after fraudulent business practices by gun companies that deceive their shareholders by failing to disclose risks;

Target weapons manufacturers that knowingly sell to bad apple dealers;

Investigate the financial backing of gun makers and sellers;

Take on interstate trafficking working with coalition partners; and,

Pushing a legal and legislative agenda to close legal loopholes.

Police and Prosecutorial Accountability

Four years ago, Eric Garner was killed at the hands of police in one of many high-profile police-involved killings in recent years. While the families of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, and Alton Sterling still wait for justice, these tragedies helped spur a grassroots movement to fundamentally reform our criminal justice system. That movement has already achieved significant victories: the use of stop-and-frisk in New York City is down 98 percent, a special prosecutor is appointed for police-involved killings in New York State, and the age of criminal responsibility has been raised. But there is an immense amount left to do, because too many in our city, state, and nation still feel that the scales of justice are tilted away from fairness.

That is why, as Attorney General, reforming the criminal justice system will be one of my top priorities.

Throughout my career, I have fought for measures to build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. I believe that the vast majority of police officers and prosecutors are dedicated public servants who uphold the law every day. But when there is no accountability or transparency, incidents of misconduct are magnified and it becomes impossible for people to trust that the process is fair and the right result is being reached. When systemic flaws continue to lead to unjust outcomes even in incidents where there was no wrongdoing, it means we must change the system.

In the wake of Eric Garner’s death, I was the first elected official to call on the Governor to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate his killing. I stood with the former Attorney General when he requested the authority to investigate the deaths of unarmed citizens at the hands of police officers. I sued for the release of the minutes of the Grand Jury proceedings concerning Eric Garner’s death, because I fundamentally believe that sunlight is the best disinfectant. I have been proud to be a leader in the fight for implementing the use of body-worn cameras by police officers, and championed the use of such technology by the NYPD.

As Attorney General, I will:

Expand and codify the Attorney General’s role as special prosecutor;

Push to end unnecessary and harmful police secrecy;

Lead the way on real criminal discovery reform; and push to bring body-worn cameras statewide.

Reproductive Healthcare Access

With the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, access to reproductive healthcare is in greater peril than ever before. Women are at critical risk of losing the protections guaranteed by Roe v. Wade, safe access to health clinics, and access to birth control.

In New York, over 1.2 million women receive publicly-funded contraceptive services and supplies, either through Title X or Medicaid. And our state, a leader on many issues of reproductive healthcare access, has failed to enshrine the fundamental right to choice into state law. This means that millions of women and families are at risk of losing core healthcare services, and basic rights and freedoms.

I have been a champion of women’s reproductive healthcare access for my entire career. As Public Advocate, I successfully pushed for the expansion of New York State Medicaid coverage for more accurate breast cancer screening technology; convened a roundtable with leaders to combat proposed changes to Title X funding; sponsored legislation supporting the Reproductive Health Act; and have been a vocal supporter at every rally and in every fight for a women’s right to reproductive health access.

As Attorney General, I will:

Enforce access to reproductive healthcare, protect a woman’s right to choose;

Investigate fake crisis pregnancy clinics;

Protect women from workplace pregnancy discrimination;

Protect access to birth control; and,

Work with other Attorneys General to fight against attacks on women’s healthcare.

Gender Equity in the Workplace

Equal pay for equal work is the law of the land. Yet nationally, a woman makes 79 cents for each dollar earned by a man. New York State has a smaller wage gap, at 89 cents on the dollar. And for women of color in New York, the wage gap grows exponentially. Black women make only 66 cents, Latina women make 56 cents, and Asian women make 82 cents for each dollar a man makes. Righting this wrong requires a commitment to examining the root causes of the inequity, amending or re-applying the law to affect those root causes, stepping up enforcement, and changing workplace culture.

Pay disparities, even those based on deep-seated prejudices based on a woman’s “appropriate” role, are not the only aspect of work life that keep women down. The #MeToo movement has demonstrated the shocking and pervasive violence that has been accepted as a regular part of working life.

As Public Advocate, I sponsored a landmark law that prohibits employers in New York City from inquiring about a job applicant’s salary history -- a vital way of stopping the perpetuation of the gender pay gap. I published a series of reports addressing the gender wage gap including a first-of-its kind report identifying gender and salary data for all 300,000 New York City employees that shed light on the hiring, pay, and promotion practices of every City agency. I recently introduced legislation to create affordable child care for city employees by using space within city buildings.

As Attorney General, I will:

Fight for statewide legislation to mirror the law I helped to pass in New York City which bans employers from asking workers about their salary history;

Create a Wage Discrimination Task Force to investigate and prosecute instances of systemic wage discrimination that currently evade enforcement because they are hidden behind deep misconceptions about the role of women in the workplace;

Take on the wage gap by taking legal action to root out the myriad forms of discrimination against women that result in unequal pay: pregnancy discrimination, caregiver discrimination, and the chronic and wide-spread devaluation of “women’s work.”

Make sexual harassment and gender equity a central focus, ensuring that women have a reliable ally in the office who will use the full extent of her powers to defend women’s right to equal pay and to equality in all facets of our society.

Protecting Our Environment and Holding Polluters Accountable

The health of planet earth is under attack by the Trump Administration every day. With a philosophy of deregulation-at-all-costs and policies that put business interests ahead of public interests, forces in Washington, D.C. are jeopardizing decades of environmental progress and the health and safety of Americans. Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the rest of his Administration have tried to undermine environmental protections at every turn. They’re working to change or withdraw regulations to the benefit of the fossil fuel industry and asbestos manufacturers at the expense of the safety of the American people.

At the same time, New York faces serious environmental challenges of its own, which impact communities throughout the state, particularly communities of color. Lead poisoning cases in black and Hispanic neighborhoods in Buffalo are some of the highest in the State, drinking water sources are contaminated in Newburgh, and smog-filled air in black and Hispanic communities leads to asthma rates in Erie County significantly higher than the national average. With that and damage resulting from climate change, our environmental challenges are growing by the day. At a time when the federal government is abandoning its responsibility to enforce the laws that protect our food, air, water, and the rest of our environment, the role of the Attorney General is vital to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers everywhere.

I have been an advocate for the environment throughout my career. As Public Advocate, I used my position as a trustee of the City’s largest pension fund to pressure the City to divest from fossil fuels -- the first trustee of a New York City pension board to call for such action. As a member of the City Council, I led the comprehensive rewriting of the City’s residential recycling program, the largest such program in the country, including expanding composting, simplifying and expanding plastics recycling, and significantly increasing the availability of recycling in public spaces. I have also been a staunch defender of environmental justice, ensuring that neighborhoods of color are not overburdened with more than their fair share of solid waste infrastructure.

As Attorney General, I will not hesitate to use the courts to force the Trump Administration to enforce environmental laws and other federal protections, while holding polluters accountable here in New York, taking action to address environmental racism, and more. I will:

Investigate and take legal action to stop environmental injustices that exacerbate racial disparities in asthma rates, lead poisoning, and other environmental illnesses;

Advance legislation and take legal action that would ban fracking infrastructure in New York;

Lead the fight for the State to divest fully from fossil fuels;

Litigate to prevent the rollback of federal regulations that protect the our air, our water, and our food;

Investigate and prosecute corporate polluters who collude with federal officials to mislead New Yorkers about the risk of climate change;

Litigate to protect against toxic products that harm workers and consumers; and,

Advocate to strengthen New York’s environmental laws by increasing the penalties for illegal dumping.

[63]

|  ”

|
|

—Tish James' campaign website (2018)[80]

### Zephyr Teachout[edit]

Teachout's campaign website stated the following:

“  |

Workers Rights
It is no coincidence that the more power we give large corporations, the less empowered their workers become. This is especially true for those workers who have been historically disenfranchised: including women, people of color, and immigrants. It is imperative to hold these corporations accountable when their workers’ rights are abused. As Attorney General I will:

Investigate wage theft, especially in vulnerable sectors like the service industry Investigate any company doing business in New York that violates the New York State Fair Pay Act or the Lilly Ledbetter Act. No employee with the same job should be paid a different wage on the basis on sex, race or national origin, and their claims should never be barred by a statute of limitation. To close the pay gap for women and people of color in New York, we need an AG who will vigorously pursue violations of these laws. Ensure workplace safety regulations are enforced.

Voting rights and voter suppression
New York has one of the worst voter turnout rates in the nation, all due to archaic laws that work to discourage participation in our electoral system. I support same day voter registration, lowering the voting age to 17, consolidated election days, automatic voter registration, and pushing for Election Day to be a statewide holiday.

As the Attorney General I will vigorously pursue all claims of New Yorkers being denied free access to the polls, including any instances where ballots and voter rolls were dismissed.

Protect Tenants and Enforce Fair Housing
Many New Yorkers struggle to afford housing, receive unfair or unequal treatment, and suffer at the hands of abusive landlords. I believe housing is a human right, and I will use the full powers of the NYS Attorney General afforded by law to protect those rights. In NYC, asthma is the leading cause for children to seek emergency medical treatment, and to miss school. And lead poisoning in already disadvantaged communities is unacceptably high. Research suggests these problems are directly linked to housing.

My office will seek referrals from the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) for rent regulation abuses and to investigate substandard and dangerous conditions at public and publicly supported housing units.

My office will pursue repeated overcharges in rent stabilized apartments in New York City, and in Nassau, Rockland and Westchester counties, where rent control and stabilization laws apply.

My office will also investigate and prosecute companies that violate the Fair Housing Act in their advertising and operations.

Protect Civil Rights
With a federal government openly hostile to equal rights, and with the U.S. Supreme Court primed to rollback hardfought civil rights victories, the NY Attorney General must be a fierce defender and enforcer of all people’s rights.

My office will use its full power under local, state, and federal law to protect: voting rights, reproductive health rights, LGBTQ rights, disability rights, religious rights, equal education opportunity, and employment rights.

The NYS OAG’s work in Oswego County, where transgender employees were being denied healthcare coverage until the AG intervened, and the guidance OAG issued, reaffirming New Yorkers’ protections through Title IX and the Dignity for All Students Act, in the wake of Trump administration’s rescinding of federal guidance, are examples of the important work my office will pursue.

I am proud to have been endorsed by the civil rights icon and lawyer Robbie Kaplan, who put this moment in perspective: “Now, more than ever, as our nation faces imminent threats to our democratic system and the potential reversal of long-established fundamental rights for women, minorities, immigrants and LGBTQ Americans, it would be hard to overstate the importance of having an Attorney General with courage, deep knowledge of constitutional law, and a demonstrated commitment to integrity and independence.”

End Cash Bail and Mass Incarceration
The NYS Attorney General has the opportunity to take a transformative role in the fight to end mass incarceration. As the chief law enforcement officer in the state, the attorney general has a moral obligation to play a leadership role in reforming a system that infringes on the basic human and legal rights of our citizens.

We must examine fully the state of the criminal justice system. As AG, I will investigate and report on injustices at each point of contact with the system; these include policing in our schools and neighborhoods, arraignment and pre-trial detention, adequate public defense, incarceration practices, parole and probation, and re-entry rights and services.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 70 percent of people in jail are innocent in the eyes of the law — men and women awaiting trial — a majority of whom are young men of color, caged up because they cannot afford to post bail. This policy of cash bail serves to criminalize poverty, and often ensures inmates suffer further abuse and violence within the system.

Mass incarceration is the legacy of slavery and it is inextricably linked to the system of oppression that locks black people behind bars, and out of jobs, schools, and markets. As Attorney General I will advocate several necessary reforms to ensure a moral and just criminal justice system:

Discovery Reform Speedy Trials Legalization of marijuana Re-entry programs Changing the culture of prosecution

Consumer Debt/Student debt/Fair Lending
New Yorkers of all ages continue to be victimized by predatory lenders and financial scams, whether by payday lenders, debt settlement companies, or unscrupulous mortgage lenders. New Yorkers with burdensome student debt and car loans are pursued by debt buyers, who often engage in abusive debt collection practices and “sewer” process service. There are insufficient legal services available for so many who are already facing financial insecurity, and abusive debt collection disproportionately affects low income, elderly, and disabled New Yorkers.

My office will use its parens patriae powers to investigate systemic risk to New Yorkers and enjoin the loopholes used by Too Big to Fail banks in the consumer debt-supported swaps market.

I strongly support the revival and passage of the Consumer Credit Fairness Act, to better protect consumers from unfair debt-collection lawsuits, and I will use my position as AG to advocate for iis passage.

Make Climate Liability Real
Big fossil fuel companies cost New York money, and cost New Yorkers their health. On hot days, municipalities have to pay more to cool buildings because of fossil fuel companies. In big storms, counties have to pay for repair, while people sit in the cold, isolated and without help. We know the changing weather patterns are caused by fossil fuel companies. In floods, sewage takes over the streets, roads are eroded, and people’s homes are filled with mold. After Sandy, people suffered incredible harm, health effects, and difficulty with housing.

All of this costs us our health and costs taxpayers money. The companies responsible for climate change must pay.

We must also continue the important ExxonMobil litigation that the AG’s office is currently pursuing.

Protect our Clean Air and Water
Big fossil fuel companies are some of the worst polluters in our state. Lax regulations have allowed them to operate in a manner that endangers the quality of life of so many New Yorkers. This cannot continue. As Attorney General, I will investigate and litigate any corporations that pollute our air and contaminate our water, creating high rates of asthma, and producing water that is unsafe to drink. Profits should not be prioritized over the health of New Yorkers.

But it is not just big fossil fuel: in Newburgh, the biggest polluter is the Department of Defense, which has exposed the children of Newburgh to unacceptable levels of PFOS. And despite New York’s purported commitment to renewable energy reliance, new gas pipelines are being approved and pushed.

As AG, I will be aggressive in suing the big polluters, and where necessary, demanding that the Governor refer criminal and civil matters to the AGs office so our hands are not tied. I will intervene when New Yorkers are denied fair process by FERC, to comment on and pushback against fossil fuel projects that threaten their air and water.

Sue Big Pharma for Fraud and Illegal Drug Pricing
We are facing a national public health crisis driven by the deceptive practices and aggressive marketing of addictive and dangerous opioids. New York, and the Attorney General’s office specifically, must take the lead to abate this deadly crisis.

Abatement will require major funding — for treatment programs, live-saving intervention services, and more — and counties and municipalities are being crushed by the costs of the crisis, both human and financial. The big pharmaceutical companies that profited grossly off this misery must be held to account, and to fund the recovery.

This is perhaps the most abusive, egregious scandal in the history of the pharmaceutical industry, where deceptive marketing converted a niche opioid painkilling drug into one of the most widely used prescription drugs in the country. Pharmaceutical companies convinced the medical community to overuse these dangerous drugs, whose efficacy is to treat chronic pain is highly questionable, putting everyone prescribed at risk of opioid addiction.

Drug prices generally are out of control, and the costs are passed on to New Yorkers. Antitrust violations like illegal price-fixing have led to rising co-pays and crucial medicine being unaffordable.

Investigators must not be fearful of taking on too big to fail pharmaceutical giants. If they are too big to fail, they are too big to do business.

My office will use the full extent of its legal powers, including the Donnelly Act, to stop consolidation in the market and prevent pricing abuses by the industry.

Trustbusting: Break up corporate monopolies
The link between prioritizing corporate needs and the growing wealth gap is inextricable. We cannot have a conversation about poverty and not discuss corporate greed and consolidation. The NYS Attorney General has the power to investigate and prosecute any corporate wrongdoing, but also to sue to block large mergers.

We have seen the adverse effects of the mergers of cable giants. The quality of service has declined; with little incentive to create a good product, consumers are left without options. And workers rights have been decimated, all while CEOs receive hefty bonuses. I will hold cable companies accountable, and ensure consumers receive the service they deserve. I will use my power as the Attorney General to prevent these large mergers from occuring in the first place.

As Attorney General I will:

Continue the important lawsuit against Spectrum. Fight to block mergers that hurt New Yorkers, even if the federal government doesn’t act Investigate the ways in which big distributors illegally squeeze farmers and producers Stand up for the privacy rights of New Yorkers against tech giants

Protect Immigrant rights and lead the fight to abolish Ice
I will work tirelessly to return all children separated by the Trump administration to their parents, and use the laws of New York to protect the rights of all those children being held in our state.

I will work to ensure the people of New York, regardless of status, can freely access our courts and schools without threat from ICE; and to protect an already vulnerable population from scams and immigration fraud. I support drivers’ licenses for undocumented immigrants.

We must Abolish ICE. I will be a champion for moving our immigration policy out of the Department of Homeland Security, where there is the least amount of oversight and most opportunity for abuse.

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence
Time’s Up.

The reckoning over the rampant and systemic mistreatment of women, in the workplace and in private, is long overdue. This movement is characterized by the incredible bravery of survivors; women who individually and collectively are saying, “No more.”

Yet survivors face a system that fosters secrecy and retaliation against the accuser, making it more difficult to enforce laws designed to protect workers from sexual harassment. And local authorities long have failed to adequately address sexual assault complaints, from untested rape kits to inadequate support for victims.

It is this broken system that has allowed for decades of sexual misconduct allegations to be swept under the rug in Albany, and allowed for alleged abusers to avoid facing a full investigation, much less punishment. As Attorney General I will:

Investigate county and municipal level handling of sexual assault claims. In New York, reports indicate nearly 2,000 rape kits remain untested. Investigate companies doing business in New York State that repeatedly violate statutes providing women the right to a safe workplace environment. Use investigations to lift the shroud of secrecy, including pushing for the release of accusers and employees from Non Disclosure Agreements that only protect serial abusers. I strongly support the recommendations put forth by Harassment Free Albany, available here: https://www.harassmentfreealbany.com.

Clean up Albany
New York’s corruption problem is deep, and it disproportionately hurts low and middle-income New Yorkers. Big donors get big contracts, as wages remain stagnant. Politically connected hedge funds block policies that would help our schools and kids. Some of the corruption is legal, but a lot of it is illegal. We have a rolling scandal of corruption and sexual misconduct, and it is clear that Albany cannot police itself.

As Attorney General I will:

Investigate corruption among lawmakers and lobbyists. I will use the powers of the Attorney General’s Office to reopen the Moreland Commission, under the existing Executive Order that created it. Lead the fight for #TimesUp in NY government Beef up the public corruption and criminal units of the AG’s office I do not take corporate PAC money or LLC money, and I have called on my opponents to pledge the same.

Trump Lawlessness and Corruption
The New York Attorney General has a unique role to play as the single most important law enforcement agency with the power to force the Trump administration, and the Trump Organization and Trump Foundation, to follow the rule of law.

I have been in the legal fight against Trump’s lawless actions from the moment he was elected, and I am fully ready to lead that fight for the people of New York. Three days after he was elected, I was one of a team of top lawyers to sue Trump for his violations of the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. That lawsuit, which is still ongoing, would force him to divest his business interests. I will continue to aggressively follow the evidence of his personal, campaign, and business activities that violate NY State and federal law.

I will be relentless, independent, ethical and swift, acting without fear or favor. I believe that we in New York can and must do more, because Trump’s businesses are here, giving us jurisdiction to investigate, restrain, and where necessary dissolve corporations founded on fraud.

As AG, I will be fully ready to prosecute any associate of Trump who is pardoned in a self-serving pardon under state law.

[63]

|  ”

|
|

—Zephyr Teachout's campaign website (2018)[81]

## Noteworthy events[edit]

### Democratic and Working Families conventions in May 2018[edit]

In May 2018, the Working Families Party (WFP) and the Democratic Party held their New York conventions to nominate candidates for their party lines.

Tish James declined to attend the WFP convention on May 19 and said she would not seek the party's endorsement. James won her first election to the New York City Council on the WFP line and was closely tied with it through her political career. The party praised James at its convention and said that she did not attend due to pressure from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The WFP endorsed activist Cynthia Nixon's Democratic primary challenge Cuomo earlier in the year and generally criticized his policies at its convention.[82]

The WFP said the following about Cuomo: “It is nothing short of outrageous to see Andrew Cuomo demand Tish James jump through hoops that he would never ask a white man to do. He is telling her to reject the party where she got her start, and refuse the WFP’s support, which could be critical in both the primary and general elections.”[65]

The WFP ended up endorsing a placeholder candidate, which would give them the ability to nominate James or another candidate later on. The convention also voted to authorize James and Zephyr Teachout to appear on the party line in the general election via Wilson-Pakula certificates.[83]

The Democratic Party held its convention the next week. On May 23, Tish James received the Democratic Party line with the support of 85 percent of the delegates. Leecia Eve and Zephyr Teachout, who both said they would petition their way onto the ballot, received about 9 percent and 5 percent, respectively.[84]

In August 2018, Tish James told The Albany Times-Union that she declined the WFP's endorsement at the behest of Democratic leaders. She said, "They said the WFP party is an 'all or nothing' kind of party. They said it wasn't diverse enough. They said it was leading our party towards the left at a time when the party needs to be more centrist."

James said she did not agree with the Democratic leadership's assessment of the WFP, but she needed support from the party and its network of county leaders and delegates to secure a path to the nomination.[85]

### Eric Schneiderman resignation and replacement by Barbara Underwood[edit]

Eric Schneiderman (D) resigned on May 7, 2018, shortly after four women accused him of striking or choking them without their consent. The allegations were first reported by the New Yorker.

Schneiderman, who was first elected as New York's attorney general in 2010 and was re-elected in 2014, denied that the activities the women described were nonconsensual. He said: “In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross.”[86]

Following Schneiderman's resignation, New York Solicitor General Barbara Underwood became the attorney general. The New York Constitution gave the New York State Legislature the ability to fill the rest of Schneiderman's 2015-2018 term by a joint vote of both chambers. Underwood said she would interview to complete the final days of the term, but she would not seek election to the position in 2018.[87]

On May 22, both chambers of the New York State Legislature convened and voted 191-1 to keep Underwood on as attorney general. She became the first woman to hold the position.[88]

### Maloney running for Congress and attorney general[edit]

Although he announced he would run for attorney general, U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney did not drop out of his race for Congress and advanced in the Democratic primary that was held on June 26, 2018 (in 2018, federal and state primaries in New York were held on different days).

Maloney said he could withdraw from the congressional race if he was nominated for attorney general on September 13. According to Roll Call, the state board of elections was unclear about whether Maloney would have to withdraw from the congressional primary after winning the attorney general primary or when the filing deadline to run for attorney general passed on July 12. This was because state law seemingly prevented candidates from seeking two offices at the same time.

On August 9, Albany County Supreme Court Justice Denise Hartman ruled that Maloney could run for both offices simultaneously.[89] On August 24, the Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed Hartman's ruling that Maloney could pursue both offices.[90]

Maloney also said he believed that he could transfer the $3 million in his federal campaign account to his attorney general campaign account.[91] He transferred $1.425 million from his congressional account to his attorney general account in August, leading Zephyr Teachout to file a lawsuit against him claiming the move was illegal.[92]

Located north of New York City, Maloney's district voted for Donald Trump (R) in the 2016 presidential election.[93]

### Real estate industry support for Maloney[edit]

On September 11, 2018, Crain's reported that Jim Whelan, the chief lobbyist for the Real Estate Board of New York, was encouraging industry players to support Sean Patrick Maloney. The Real Estate Board of New York previously split its support between Maloney and Tish James. Zephyr Teachout refused money from business groups and landlords.[94]

## Media coverage[edit]

* Judd Legum, Popular Information (September 12, 2018): The 2018 election consists of hundreds of individual races. But the election is ultimately about settling one fundamental question: will Democrats be empowered to provide a check on Trump? On this score, the most important race of the year may take place Thursday: the Democratic primary for Attorney General of New York. The Attorney General of New York has unique authority to investigate and prosecute Trump, his associates, and his businesses. In important respects, the powers of the Attorney General of New York exceed those of special counsel Robert Mueller...

The New York Attorney General has an unrivaled authority to hold Trump and his associates to account. Under New York law, the Attorney General is empowered to bring an action to dissolve the Trump Organization. The legal procedure, known as "Quo Warranto," allows the Attorney General to shut down a company by proving it operates outside its corporate charter. One way to do that is to show that the corporation is committing crimes...

If Robert Mueller or other federal prosecutors secure convictions for Trump associates, Trump has the power to issue a pardon. Trump is rumored to be considering a pardon for Paul Manafort, who was recently convicted of eight felonies. But if the New York Attorney General investigates, charges and, convicts Trump's associates under state law, Trump cannot issue a pardon. The New York Attorney General also has standing to bring an action against Trump or the Trump Organization for continuing to receive payments from foreign governments. A similar lawsuit brought by the Attorneys General of Maryland and DC is moving forward in federal court, but thus far New York has declined to join.[95]

* Grace Segers, City and State New York (July 18, 2018): "New York City Public Advocate Letitia James is hoping to dispel the idea that she is the establishment candidate and Fordham Law professor Zephyr Teachout is embracing her image as an outsider who would challenge Gov. Andrew Cuomo, while the campaign strategies of Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney and Leecia Eve remain elusive.At first, James seemed to be the prohibitive favorite. She was nearly installed in the office for the rest of Schneiderman’s term by the state Legislature and she won the party’s designation at its statewide convention in May.

But the race, like the rest of New York politics, was upended by the recent victory of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over longtime Rep. Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary in the 14th Congressional District. Teachout, one of the early endorsers of Ocasio-Cortez, is hoping that the same anti-establishment, anti-corruption wave will also carry her to victory. Teachout has a history of impressive performance: in 2014, entering the race with no name recognition or fundraising network, she managed to pull one-third of the Democratic gubernatorial primary vote.

The entry of two other candidates also complicated James’s path to victory: Eve is, like James, an African-American woman and a veteran of New York Democratic politics, so they may compete for many of the same voters. Maloney’s atypical political profile – a gay man who is to the right of most Democrats, in keeping with his upstate district – might lead him to pull votes from both James and Teachout, but he is very unlikely to take much from Teachout’s activist liberal base. In a low-turnout event, such as an off-year primary, that base can comprise a sizable chunk of the electorate. Teachout may lose some progressives to James, but – by lowering the percentage Teachout would need to win a plurality – the entry of more candidates could give her a better shot at an upset victory.[96]

## Context of the 2018 election[edit]

New York came under divided government when Republicans gained a majority in the New York State Senate in 2011. Heading into the 2018 elections, New York was a Democratic triplex.

New York was won by the Democratic candidate in each of the previous five presidential elections. The widest margin of victory was Barack Obama's 28 percent margin in 2012 while the narrowest was John Kerry's 18 percent margin in 2004.

### Past elections[edit]

#### 2014[edit]

See also: New York attorney general election, 2014

Eric Schneiderman ran for re-election as attorney general of New York in the 2014 election. Schneiderman was unopposed in the Democratic primary.[97]

## Voter information[edit]

### How the primary works[edit]

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. New York utilizes a closed primary process, in which the selection of a party's candidates in an election is limited to registered party members.[98][99][100][101]

### Poll times[edit]

For primary elections, polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. in New York City and the counties of Dutchess, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, and Erie. Polls open at 12:00 p.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. in all other counties. Polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. for general elections. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[102]

### Registration requirements[edit]

To vote in New York, one must be a United States citizen, a resident of the county, city, or village for at least 30 days prior to the election, and at least 18 years old by the date of the election. Individuals who are in prison or on parole for a felony conviction and those who have been declared mentally incompetent by a court are ineligible to register to vote. One cannot register to vote in New York while claiming the right to vote elsewhere.[103] Registration applications are available at the county board of elections or any agency-based voter registration center. Forms are also available online, or prospective voters can request the form by mail.[103] Completed forms returned by mail must be postmarked at least 25 days prior to the election. The form must then be received by election officials at least 20 days before the election. A registration done in person must be completed at least 25 days prior to the election.[104] Residents may also register to vote online through the DMV Electronic Voter Registration Application. These applications are forwarded to the board of elections; applicants should allow up to six weeks for processing.[105]

### Automatic registration[edit]

On December 22, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) signed S8806/A8280C into law, establishing automatic voter registration. When individuals interact with state agencies, voter registration will be integrated into other applications or registrations the agency provides. The Department of Motor Vehicle process will be implemented in 2023, the Departments of Health, Labor, and Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance in 2024, and the State University of New York in 2025.[106][107]

### Online registration[edit]

See also: Online voter registration

New York has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

### Same-day registration[edit]

New York does not allow same-day voter registration.

### Residency requirements[edit]

In order to register to vote in New York, applicants must reside in the county, city, or village in which they are registering for at least 30 days prior to the election.

### Verification of citizenship[edit]

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

New York does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration.

### Verifying your registration[edit]

The New York State Board of Elections allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.

### Voter ID requirements[edit]

New York does not require voters to present identification while voting.[108] However, if a voter does not provide valid identification at the time of registration, he or she must show identification at the polling place when voting for the first time.[109][110]

Voters can present the following forms of identification:

* A current, valid photo ID, including but not limited to a drivers' license or a DMV-issued non-driver photo ID
* A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document with the voter's name and address

#### Background[edit]

As of April 2021, 35 states enforced (or were scheduled to begin enforcing) voter identification requirements. A total of 21 states required voters to present photo identification at the polls; the remainder accepted other forms of identification. Valid forms of identification differ by state. Commonly accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards, and military identification cards.[111][112]

### Early voting[edit]

Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a bill into law on January 24, 2019, establishing a 10-day early voting period. The bill was scheduled to take full effect on January 1, 2020.

As of April 2021, 38 states and the District of Columbia permitted early voting. Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on election day. States that do not permit early voting still permit some or all citizens to vote early by mail—often known as absentee voting. Some states allow no-excuse absentee voting, while others require an excuse. States that allow in-person absentee voting without an excuse are counted among early voting states. Click here for early voting laws by state.[113][114][115]

### Absentee voting[edit]

A voter in New York is eligible to vote absentee in an election for any of the following reasons:[116]

1. Absence from the county (or, if a resident of New York City, the city) on Election Day
2. Illness or disability, or acting as the primary caregiver for an ill or disabled person
3. Patient care at a Veteran's Administration hospital
4. Incarceration for offenses other than felonies or awaiting grand jury action

Absentee ballot applications must be mailed to the county board of elections no later than the seventh day before the election. Alternatively, applications delivered in person must be received no later than the day before the election. A voter may also request an absentee ballot by sending a letter to the county board of elections. The letter must be received by the county board no earlier than 30 days and no later than seven days before the election. An application form will be mailed with the absentee ballot. The application form must be completed and returned with the ballot.[116]

If sent by mail, a returned ballot must be postmarked by the day of the election and received no later than the seventh day after the election. If submitted in person, the ballot must be received by close of polls on Election Day.[117][118]

## State profile[edit]

Demographic data for New York

| New York| U.S.
Total population:| 19,747,183| 316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):| 47,126| 3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:| 64.6%| 73.6%
Black/African American:| 15.6%| 12.6%
Asian:| 8%| 5.1%
Native American:| 0.4%| 0.8%
Pacific Islander:| 0%| 0.2%
Two or more:| 2.9%| 3%
Hispanic/Latino:| 18.4%| 17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:| 85.6%| 86.7%
College graduation rate:| 34.2%| 29.8%
Income
Median household income:| $59,269| $53,889
Persons below poverty level:| 18.5%| 11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in New York.

* * *

**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

### Presidential voting pattern[edit]

See also: Presidential voting trends in New York

New York voted for the Democratic candidate in all five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016.

#### Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, 18 are located in New York, accounting for 8.74 percent of the total pivot counties.[119]

#### Pivot Counties (2020)

In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. New York had 14 Retained Pivot Counties and four Boomerang Pivot Counties, accounting for 7.73 and 16.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.

More New York coverage on Ballotpedia

* Elections in New York
* United States congressional delegations from New York
* Public policy in New York
* Influencers in New York
* New York fact checks
* More...

## Pivot Counties[edit]

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Eighteen of 62 New York counties—29 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008

County  |  Trump margin of victory in 2016  |  Obama margin of victory in 2012  |  Obama margin of victory in 2008
Broome County, New York | 2.01% | 5.31% | 8.02%
Cayuga County, New York | 11.64% | 11.40% | 8.48%
Cortland County, New York | 5.58% | 9.11% | 9.96%
Essex County, New York | 1.14% | 18.77% | 13.32%
Franklin County, New York | 5.45% | 26.07% | 22.23%
Madison County, New York | 14.20% | 0.89% | 0.87%
Niagara County, New York | 17.75% | 0.84% | 1.00%
Orange County, New York | 5.50% | 5.65% | 4.13%
Oswego County, New York | 21.99% | 7.93% | 2.44%
Otsego County, New York | 11.13% | 2.72% | 5.91%
Rensselaer County, New York | 1.41% | 12.19% | 9.34%
St. Lawrence County, New York | 8.82% | 16.71% | 16.33%
Saratoga County, New York | 3.21% | 2.44% | 3.40%
Seneca County, New York | 11.01% | 9.08% | 2.60%
Suffolk County, New York | 6.84% | 3.69% | 5.99%
Sullivan County, New York | 11.23% | 9.02% | 9.46%
Warren County, New York | 8.47% | 2.32% | 2.64%
Washington County, New York | 18.40% | 1.90% | 0.81%

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won New York with 59 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 36.5 percent. In presidential elections between 1792 and 2016, New York voted Democratic 45.6 percent of the time and Republican 35 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, New York voted Democratic all five times.[120]

#### Presidential results by legislative district[edit]

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state Assembly districts in New York. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[121][122]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 114 out of 150 state Assembly districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 46.5 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 99 out of 150 state Assembly districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 50.3 points. Clinton won four districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.

In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 36 out of 150 state Assembly districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 10.5 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 51 out of 150 state Assembly districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 17.6 points. Trump won 13 districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.

2016 Presidential Results by State Assembly District '

District |  Obama |  Romney |  2012 Margin |  Clinton |  Trump |  2016 Margin |  Party Control
1 | 54.04% | 44.82% | D+9.2 | 48.70% | 47.90% | D+0.8 | D
2 | 46.01% | 52.77% | R+6.8 | 38.67% | 58.09% | R+19.4 | R
3 | 55.11% | 43.52% | D+11.6 | 41.78% | 54.70% | R+12.9 | R
4 | 53.31% | 45.30% | D+8 | 48.48% | 48.05% | D+0.4 | D
5 | 47.32% | 51.31% | R+4 | 36.36% | 60.40% | R+24 | R
6 | 78.89% | 20.28% | D+58.6 | 72.98% | 24.24% | D+48.7 | D
7 | 47.06% | 51.56% | R+4.5 | 39.08% | 57.31% | R+18.2 | R
8 | 39.57% | 59.23% | R+19.7 | 36.18% | 60.77% | R+24.6 | R
9 | 43.39% | 55.49% | R+12.1 | 36.87% | 59.96% | R+23.1 | D[123]
10 | 51.06% | 47.80% | D+3.3 | 52.08% | 44.85% | D+7.2 | R
11 | 64.66% | 34.40% | D+30.3 | 55.00% | 42.21% | D+12.8 | D
12 | 47.31% | 51.62% | R+4.3 | 44.00% | 52.67% | R+8.7 | R
13 | 58.37% | 40.78% | D+17.6 | 60.78% | 36.72% | D+24.1 | D
14 | 46.14% | 52.73% | R+6.6 | 41.36% | 55.64% | R+14.3 | R
15 | 45.71% | 53.03% | R+7.3 | 44.85% | 52.11% | R+7.3 | R
16 | 52.05% | 47.10% | D+5 | 56.95% | 40.38% | D+16.6 | D
17 | 45.79% | 53.00% | R+7.2 | 39.11% | 57.86% | R+18.7 | R
18 | 91.22% | 8.41% | D+82.8 | 87.68% | 10.41% | D+77.3 | D
19 | 42.58% | 56.33% | R+13.7 | 43.26% | 53.52% | R+10.3 | R
20 | 48.06% | 51.13% | R+3.1 | 47.00% | 50.24% | R+3.2 | R
21 | 52.67% | 46.29% | D+6.4 | 51.99% | 45.07% | D+6.9 | R
22 | 65.29% | 33.82% | D+31.5 | 63.90% | 33.38% | D+30.5 | D
23 | 61.90% | 37.47% | D+24.4 | 53.34% | 44.39% | D+9 | D
24 | 78.38% | 20.78% | D+57.6 | 76.56% | 21.44% | D+55.1 | D
25 | 67.95% | 31.02% | D+36.9 | 64.73% | 32.56% | D+32.2 | D
26 | 60.52% | 38.40% | D+22.1 | 57.04% | 40.31% | D+16.7 | D
27 | 66.10% | 32.78% | D+33.3 | 65.49% | 31.64% | D+33.8 | D
28 | 64.51% | 34.05% | D+30.5 | 64.36% | 32.54% | D+31.8 | D
29 | 96.48% | 3.31% | D+93.2 | 93.79% | 4.84% | D+89 | D
30 | 69.24% | 29.36% | D+39.9 | 66.29% | 30.73% | D+35.6 | D
31 | 94.67% | 5.11% | D+89.6 | 90.76% | 7.84% | D+82.9 | D
32 | 98.08% | 1.76% | D+96.3 | 94.74% | 4.01% | D+90.7 | D
33 | 91.02% | 8.63% | D+82.4 | 87.81% | 10.57% | D+77.2 | D
34 | 83.56% | 15.45% | D+68.1 | 81.22% | 16.12% | D+65.1 | D
35 | 87.16% | 12.34% | D+74.8 | 83.53% | 14.41% | D+69.1 | D
36 | 79.87% | 18.03% | D+61.8 | 77.61% | 18.78% | D+58.8 | D
37 | 83.87% | 14.68% | D+69.2 | 81.38% | 15.40% | D+66 | D
38 | 80.79% | 18.38% | D+62.4 | 76.29% | 20.96% | D+55.3 | D
39 | 84.83% | 14.30% | D+70.5 | 82.52% | 15.37% | D+67.2 | D
40 | 73.69% | 25.42% | D+48.3 | 67.21% | 30.28% | D+36.9 | D
41 | 64.24% | 34.88% | D+29.4 | 60.37% | 37.52% | D+22.9 | D
42 | 88.34% | 11.08% | D+77.3 | 87.37% | 10.69% | D+76.7 | D
43 | 92.71% | 6.67% | D+86 | 89.50% | 8.18% | D+81.3 | D
44 | 75.88% | 22.30% | D+53.6 | 78.35% | 18.67% | D+59.7 | D
45 | 39.57% | 59.45% | R+19.9 | 38.92% | 58.66% | R+19.7 | D
46 | 57.36% | 41.53% | D+15.8 | 52.25% | 44.97% | D+7.3 | D
47 | 57.51% | 41.30% | D+16.2 | 52.70% | 44.71% | D+8 | D
48 | 23.67% | 75.67% | R+52 | 28.29% | 69.34% | R+41 | D
49 | 63.97% | 34.98% | D+29 | 56.74% | 40.36% | D+16.4 | D
50 | 81.31% | 16.33% | D+65 | 83.62% | 13.09% | D+70.5 | D
51 | 85.66% | 12.87% | D+72.8 | 83.02% | 13.97% | D+69.1 | D
52 | 90.09% | 8.07% | D+82 | 91.91% | 5.33% | D+86.6 | D
53 | 92.91% | 5.37% | D+87.5 | 91.06% | 6.07% | D+85 | D
54 | 96.13% | 3.35% | D+92.8 | 92.39% | 5.36% | D+87 | D
55 | 98.83% | 0.99% | D+97.8 | 96.15% | 2.40% | D+93.7 | D
56 | 98.41% | 0.96% | D+97.4 | 95.55% | 2.09% | D+93.5 | D
57 | 96.67% | 1.84% | D+94.8 | 95.21% | 2.19% | D+93 | D
58 | 98.43% | 1.45% | D+97 | 96.16% | 2.69% | D+93.5 | D
59 | 79.70% | 19.86% | D+59.8 | 74.78% | 23.64% | D+51.1 | D
60 | 97.18% | 2.69% | D+94.5 | 95.26% | 3.68% | D+91.6 | D
61 | 73.38% | 25.49% | D+47.9 | 66.08% | 31.15% | D+34.9 | D
62 | 33.53% | 65.59% | R+32.1 | 23.48% | 74.50% | R+51 | R
63 | 52.73% | 46.28% | D+6.4 | 44.62% | 52.97% | R+8.3 | D
64 | 48.50% | 50.32% | R+1.8 | 40.32% | 56.79% | R+16.5 | R
65 | 81.18% | 17.32% | D+63.9 | 82.52% | 14.32% | D+68.2 | D
66 | 82.48% | 15.83% | D+66.6 | 88.65% | 8.07% | D+80.6 | D
67 | 79.90% | 18.81% | D+61.1 | 86.93% | 10.33% | D+76.6 | D
68 | 93.24% | 6.07% | D+87.2 | 91.42% | 6.29% | D+85.1 | D
69 | 89.05% | 9.58% | D+79.5 | 90.82% | 6.34% | D+84.5 | D
70 | 97.06% | 2.16% | D+94.9 | 94.78% | 2.82% | D+92 | D
71 | 94.24% | 4.79% | D+89.4 | 92.52% | 4.99% | D+87.5 | D
72 | 92.83% | 6.15% | D+86.7 | 90.73% | 6.93% | D+83.8 | D
73 | 66.15% | 32.87% | D+33.3 | 78.99% | 17.96% | D+61 | D
74 | 82.49% | 15.93% | D+66.6 | 85.40% | 11.22% | D+74.2 | D
75 | 81.59% | 16.96% | D+64.6 | 86.45% | 10.67% | D+75.8 | D
76 | 71.08% | 27.66% | D+43.4 | 80.57% | 16.33% | D+64.2 | D
77 | 97.58% | 2.20% | D+95.4 | 94.60% | 4.19% | D+90.4 | D
78 | 93.63% | 5.85% | D+87.8 | 91.24% | 6.90% | D+84.3 | D
79 | 97.75% | 2.07% | D+95.7 | 94.79% | 4.02% | D+90.8 | D
80 | 84.17% | 15.09% | D+69.1 | 81.92% | 15.88% | D+66 | D
81 | 80.56% | 18.48% | D+62.1 | 81.08% | 16.20% | D+64.9 | D
82 | 77.59% | 21.72% | D+55.9 | 72.94% | 25.01% | D+47.9 | D
83 | 97.51% | 2.29% | D+95.2 | 95.42% | 3.44% | D+92 | D
84 | 96.67% | 3.01% | D+93.7 | 93.79% | 4.84% | D+88.9 | D
85 | 96.67% | 3.09% | D+93.6 | 93.54% | 5.11% | D+88.4 | D
86 | 96.98% | 2.77% | D+94.2 | 93.95% | 4.68% | D+89.3 | D
87 | 94.79% | 4.94% | D+89.8 | 91.38% | 7.06% | D+84.3 | D
88 | 58.31% | 40.76% | D+17.6 | 65.37% | 31.47% | D+33.9 | D
89 | 85.20% | 14.17% | D+71 | 82.85% | 15.16% | D+67.7 | D
90 | 61.30% | 37.80% | D+23.5 | 60.47% | 37.11% | D+23.4 | D
91 | 61.44% | 37.46% | D+24 | 67.67% | 29.24% | D+38.4 | D
92 | 63.32% | 35.59% | D+27.7 | 67.46% | 29.61% | D+37.8 | D
93 | 55.29% | 43.50% | D+11.8 | 63.29% | 33.24% | D+30 | D
94 | 43.95% | 54.77% | R+10.8 | 42.07% | 54.54% | R+12.5 | R
95 | 60.73% | 37.96% | D+22.8 | 60.71% | 35.75% | D+25 | D
96 | 55.79% | 43.29% | D+12.5 | 53.99% | 43.30% | D+10.7 | D
97 | 55.96% | 42.95% | D+13 | 56.12% | 41.13% | D+15 | D
98 | 42.17% | 56.42% | R+14.3 | 37.01% | 59.04% | R+22 | R
99 | 48.43% | 50.22% | R+1.8 | 42.54% | 53.63% | R+11.1 | D
100 | 58.43% | 40.15% | D+18.3 | 48.34% | 47.78% | D+0.6 | D
101 | 46.72% | 51.54% | R+4.8 | 37.09% | 57.64% | R+20.6 | R
102 | 46.17% | 51.68% | R+5.5 | 36.02% | 58.61% | R+22.6 | R
103 | 63.55% | 33.96% | D+29.6 | 58.26% | 36.29% | D+22 | D
104 | 63.92% | 34.66% | D+29.3 | 58.16% | 37.80% | D+20.4 | D
105 | 44.96% | 53.53% | R+8.6 | 40.21% | 55.76% | R+15.5 | R
106 | 54.56% | 43.55% | D+11 | 48.51% | 46.87% | D+1.6 | D
107 | 53.05% | 44.89% | D+8.2 | 44.90% | 49.10% | R+4.2 | R
108 | 70.55% | 27.28% | D+43.3 | 61.59% | 32.95% | D+28.6 | D
109 | 65.84% | 31.84% | D+34 | 64.15% | 30.37% | D+33.8 | D
110 | 58.81% | 39.29% | D+19.5 | 55.68% | 39.07% | D+16.6 | D
111 | 52.50% | 45.71% | D+6.8 | 41.48% | 53.27% | R+11.8 | D
112 | 48.89% | 49.13% | R+0.2 | 44.94% | 48.94% | R+4 | R
113 | 52.68% | 45.50% | D+7.2 | 45.69% | 47.82% | R+2.1 | D
114 | 51.63% | 46.49% | D+5.1 | 41.02% | 52.47% | R+11.4 | R
115 | 61.84% | 36.53% | D+25.3 | 46.11% | 47.66% | R+1.6 | D
116 | 54.55% | 43.93% | D+10.6 | 42.31% | 51.66% | R+9.4 | D
117 | 45.01% | 53.43% | R+8.4 | 31.76% | 62.47% | R+30.7 | R
118 | 43.83% | 54.51% | R+10.7 | 31.43% | 63.31% | R+31.9 | R
119 | 51.36% | 46.95% | D+4.4 | 41.04% | 53.84% | R+12.8 | D
120 | 51.15% | 46.82% | D+4.3 | 37.11% | 57.05% | R+19.9 | R
121 | 49.52% | 48.41% | D+1.1 | 39.87% | 53.28% | R+13.4 | D
122 | 45.53% | 52.49% | R+7 | 34.61% | 59.78% | R+25.2 | R
123 | 55.57% | 42.04% | D+13.5 | 52.23% | 41.96% | D+10.3 | D
124 | 46.07% | 52.15% | R+6.1 | 37.50% | 56.97% | R+19.5 | R
125 | 66.01% | 31.04% | D+35 | 64.17% | 29.17% | D+35 | D
126 | 52.22% | 45.79% | D+6.4 | 43.09% | 50.74% | R+7.7 | R
127 | 53.56% | 44.89% | D+8.7 | 47.85% | 46.23% | D+1.6 | D
128 | 67.41% | 30.84% | D+36.6 | 62.44% | 32.51% | D+29.9 | D
129 | 67.56% | 30.34% | D+37.2 | 61.81% | 32.63% | D+29.2 | D
130 | 46.79% | 51.25% | R+4.5 | 34.92% | 59.04% | R+24.1 | R
131 | 49.38% | 48.73% | D+0.6 | 42.69% | 50.88% | R+8.2 | R
132 | 43.99% | 54.12% | R+10.1 | 33.52% | 60.54% | R+27 | R
133 | 44.81% | 53.27% | R+8.5 | 41.66% | 52.66% | R+11 | R
134 | 46.94% | 51.52% | R+4.6 | 40.25% | 54.77% | R+14.5 | R
135 | 48.95% | 49.37% | R+0.4 | 49.07% | 45.18% | D+3.9 | R
136 | 65.47% | 32.54% | D+32.9 | 63.46% | 31.09% | D+32.4 | D
137 | 82.06% | 16.74% | D+65.3 | 76.04% | 20.42% | D+55.6 | D
138 | 63.64% | 33.69% | D+30 | 60.14% | 33.54% | D+26.6 | D
139 | 39.87% | 58.03% | R+18.2 | 30.20% | 63.82% | R+33.6 | R
140 | 57.07% | 40.83% | D+16.2 | 49.45% | 45.32% | D+4.1 | D
141 | 90.73% | 8.28% | D+82.5 | 87.56% | 9.85% | D+77.7 | D
142 | 54.21% | 43.95% | D+10.3 | 44.65% | 50.57% | R+5.9 | D
143 | 53.02% | 45.22% | D+7.8 | 43.36% | 52.14% | R+8.8 | D
144 | 41.30% | 56.97% | R+15.7 | 33.65% | 61.58% | R+27.9 | R
145 | 51.63% | 46.76% | D+4.9 | 41.99% | 53.80% | R+11.8 | R
146 | 50.81% | 47.67% | D+3.1 | 51.71% | 43.66% | D+8.1 | R
147 | 40.61% | 57.59% | R+17 | 30.82% | 64.29% | R+33.5 | R
148 | 39.92% | 58.13% | R+18.2 | 28.76% | 65.82% | R+37.1 | R
149 | 64.10% | 33.69% | D+30.4 | 58.11% | 37.05% | D+21.1 | D
150 | 45.20% | 53.09% | R+7.9 | 35.59% | 58.89% | R+23.3 | R
Total | 63.43% | 35.22% | D+28.2 | 59.48% | 36.81% | D+22.7 | \-
Source: Daily Kos

## See also[edit]

New York government:

* New York state executive offices
* New York State Legislature
* New York courts

Elections:

* New York state executive official elections, 2018
* Gubernatorial elections, 2018
* Lieutenant gubernatorial elections, 2018
* Attorney General elections, 2018
* Secretary of State elections, 2018
* State executive official elections, 2018, 2017, 2016

Ballotpedia exclusives:

* State executives compensation
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* Trifecta control of state government

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## External links[edit]

|  Suggest a link

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* Attorney General of New York official website

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ The New Yorker, "Four Women Accuse New York’s Attorney General of Physical Abuse," May 7, 2018
2. ↑ Bloomberg, "New York Attorney General Schneiderman Resigns After Abuse Allegations," May 7, 2018
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Gotham Gazette, "Letitia James Launches Campaign for Attorney General," May 17, 2018
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Politico, "The rise of Tish James," May 23, 2018
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Politico, "SEAN PATRICK MALONEY enters the fray, swinging — PREET registers to vote— Council makes deal on discount Metrocards for the poor — Pizza delivery driver’s detention becomes a flashpoint in Gov race," June 8, 2018 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "spm1" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "spm1" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "spm1" defined multiple times with different content
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 New York Daily News, "After latest convictions, Teachout says state needs corruption-busting AG," July 15, 2018
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Zephyr Teachout for Attorney General, "Meet Zephyr," accessed June 27, 2018
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 U.S. News and World Report, "Teachout: I'll Investigate Cuomo if Elected Attorney General," September 10, 2018
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Cut, "Exclusive: Cynthia Nixon and Zephyr Teachout to Announce Dual Endorsement," August 8, 2018
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 The New York Times, "Zephyr Teachout Is the Right Choice as Attorney General for Democrats," August 19, 2018
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Twitter, "Sean Patrick Maloney," accessed June 27, 2018
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 City and State New York, "Sean Patrick Maloney goes on the offensive," August 2, 2018
13. ↑ The New York Times, "Inside the Intense Scrum to Be New York’s Next Attorney General," May 14, 2018
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Newsday, "New York attorney general sues Trump Foundation," June 14, 2018
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Gotham Gazette, "Democratic Candidates for Attorney General Plant Campaign Flags," June 29, 2018
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Leecia Eve for Attorney General, "Meet Leecia," accessed June 27, 2018
17. ↑ NY1, "New York attorney general race: A new contender," May 22, 2018
18. ↑ Tish James for Attorney General, "About," accessed June 27, 2018
19. ↑ Tish James for Attorney General, "About," accessed June 27, 2018
20. ↑ Observer, "Zephyr Teachout, a Bernie Sanders Favorite, Loses Upstate Congressional Bid," November 8, 2016
21. ↑ WAMC, "Teachout Details Proposals In Campaign For NY AG," July 29, 2018
22. ↑ Observer, "New York AG Candidate Says Facebook and Google Are ‘Parasites’ Destroying Local News," July 25, 2018
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 23.7 23.8 23.9 City and State New York, "Nadler sits out the Tish party," August 9, 2018
24. ↑ Twitter, "Shane Goldmacher on May 29, 2018"
25. ↑ Buffalo News, "Cuomo flexes muscles with big convention wins," May 23, 2018
26. ↑ New York Times, "Leecia Eve, Ex-Aide to Clinton and Cuomo, Enters Attorney General Race," May 21, 2018
27. ↑ Gotham Gazette, "Letitia James Launches Campaign for Attorney General," May 17, 2018
28. ↑ Tish James for Attorney General, "Endorsements," accessed June 27, 2018
29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 City and State New York, "The race for attorney general takes shape," May 22, 2018
30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 Kings County Politics, "Tish James Brings It Home In AG Race," July 16, 2018
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Spectrum News, "Mayor Brown and Assemblywoman Peoples-Stokes Endorse James for AG," June 16, 2018
32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 32.5 32.6 32.7 32.8 Albany Times-Union, "Elected officials and unions line up behind Tish James," July 27, 2018
33. ↑ New York Daily News, "EXCLUSIVE: Ritchie Torres 'co-endorses' Zephyr Teachout after first backing Letitia James," August 22, 2018
34. ↑ Spectrum News, "AG candidate James endorsed by Warren, Bello," July 25, 2018
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 'Lohud, "Westchester Dems back Tish James for state AG," August 3, 2018
36. ↑ [http://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/politics/2018/08/08/james-schenectady-endorsement- Spectrum News, "Schenectady officials endorse James for attorney general," August 7, 2018\
37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 YouTube, "Maloney Earns Support from Progressive Leaders, Beto O'Rourke & Joe Kennedy III," September 6, 2018
38. ↑ Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, "Bernie Sanders endorses Zephyr Teachout, Jumaane Williams, stays out of governor's race," September 10, 2018
39. ↑ Times Union, "AG candidate Teachout gets Ocasio-Cortez endorsement," July 12, 2018
40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 40.4 40.5 40.6 Politico, "TEACHOUT's momentum — The Yeshiva investigation that wasn't — CUOMO signs prosecutorial misconduct bill," August 21, 2018
41. ↑ Times Union, "Assemblyman Steck endorses Teachout for AG," accessed July 26, 2018
42. ↑ New York Daily News, "EXCLUSIVE: Councilman rescinds endorsement of Tish James to back Zephyr Teachout for attorney general instead," September 5, 2018
43. ↑ Van Bramer originally endorsed James but later switched his endorsement to Teachout.
44. ↑ Ithica Journal, "Upstate Politics: Myrick endorses Teachout, Akshar announces recovery funding," September 4, 2018
45. ↑ New York Times, "Chirlane McCray Endorses Zephyr Teachout in N.Y. Attorney General Race," September 4, 2018
46. ↑ New York Daily News, "Teachout receives backing of prominent gay rights lawyer Roberta Kaplan," June 29, 2018
47. ↑ Auburn Pub, "Eye on NY podcast: May-Teachout cross-endorsement, Trichter's white paper, Gillibrand vs. Farley and more," July 23, 2018
48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 New York Times, "Leecia Eve, Ex-Aide to Clinton and Cuomo, Enters Attorney General Race," May 21, 2018
49. ↑ The Intercept, "EMILY’S LIST BACKS LETITIA JAMES, ANDREW CUOMO’S CANDIDATE FOR NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL," August 7, 2018
50. ↑ The Chief-Leader, "James and DiNapoli Win Endorsements From State AFL-CIO," August 27, 2018
51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 Kings County Politics, "Tish Gets Sweet But Low Calorie Union Endorsement," July 24, 2018
52. ↑ New York Post, "NYC gay club endorses Cynthia Nixon," June 10, 2018
53. ↑ Kings County Politics, "Tish James Gets Big LGBT Endorsement For AG Run," June 8, 2018
54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 The Gothamist, "Will Letitia James's Embrace Of Cuomo Sink Her Attorney General Campaign?" September 5, 2018
55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 City and State New York, "Immigrant advocacy groups split in AG race," September 6, 2018
56. ↑ Newsday, "Newsday endorses Letitia James for attorney general," September 7, 2018
57. ↑ New York Daily News, "Zephyr Teachout for attorney general: A standout in the Democratic field," August 26, 2018
58. ↑ The Nation, "Zephyr Teachout for Attorney General of New York," August 16, 2018
59. ↑ Buffalo News, "Editorial: Teachout for attorney general," September 5, 2018
60. ↑ NY State of Politics, "NY Bernie Backers Stick With Teachout," accessed August 1, 2018
61. ↑ Politico, "Testing OCASIO-CORTEZ’s primary clout — CUOMO’s beef with CHARTER-SPECTRUM heats up — DE BLASIO talks Democratic Socialism in the Big Easy — How JARED KUSHNER suppressed news at the Observer," August 7, 2018
62. ↑ Albany Times-Union, "Editorial: Leecia Eve, an AG for us all," September 2, 2018
63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 63.2 63.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
64. ↑ The Intercept, "ZEPHYR TEACHOUT’S FUNDRAISING SPIKES IN WAKE OF NEW YORK TIMES ENDORSEMENT IN ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE," August 25, 2018
65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 The Intercept, "ZEPHYR TEACHOUT SAYS SHE PRESSED ERIC SCHNEIDERMAN TWICE TO TAKE ON TRUMP CORRUPTION: 'HE DID NOT ACT,'" June 5, 2018
66. ↑ New York Times, "Eric Schneiderman Set Himself Up as Trump’s Foil. What Happens Now?" May 8, 2018
67. ↑ Fox News, "New York attorney general candidate wants to 'prosecute' ICE," August 2, 2018
68. ↑ New York Times, "Zephyr Teachout Is Running for Attorney General. But Her Real Target Is Trump," August 3, 2018
69. ↑ WCBS 880, "Teachout Says She'd Stand Up To Cuomo, Take On Trump As N.Y. Attorney General," June 11, 2018
70. ↑ 70.0 70.1 WBFO, "James says she will be an independent Attorney General, despite ties to Cuomo," August 3, 2018
71. ↑ CBS News, "The Sheriff Of Wall Street," May 23, 2003
72. ↑ New York Times, "Wanted: ‘Sheriff of Wall Street.’ Letitia James Says No Thanks, and Her Rivals Pounce," August 14, 2018
73. ↑ 73.0 73.1 73.2 New Jersey Herald, "AG candidates bash NYC bill capping ride-hailing licenses," August 14, 2018
74. ↑ 74.0 74.1 Politico, "Net neutrality, Uber cap are focus of AG forum," August 14, 2018
75. ↑ New York Board of Elections, "Committee Search," accessed July 19, 2018
76. ↑ Maloney transferred $1.425 million from his congressional campaign account to his attorney general account.
77. ↑ Prior to the July filing, Teachout had a balance of $142,772.92.
78. ↑ Sludge, "Real Estate Tycoon Funds Last-Minute $100,000 Attack on Zephyr Teachout in New York AG Race," September 10, 2018
79. ↑ Leecia Eve for Attorney General, “A message from Leecia,” accessed August 22, 2018
80. ↑ Tish James for Attorney General, “Issues,” accessed August 22, 2018
81. ↑ Zephyr Teachout for Attorney General, “Issues,” accessed August 22, 2018
82. ↑ Politico, "WFP nominates placeholder for AG, blames Cuomo for James snub," May 19, 2018
83. ↑ New York Times, "Nixon Tops Working Families Ticket, but Party Remains at ‘Crossroads,’" May 19, 2018
84. ↑ Buffalo News, "Cuomo flexes muscles with big convention wins," May 23, 2018
85. ↑ Albany Times Union, "James explains Cuomo backing, break from third party," August 22, 2018
86. ↑ New York Times, "Eric Schneiderman Resigns as New York Attorney General Amid Assault Claims by 4 Women," May 7, 2018
87. ↑ WIBX 950, "Acting Attorney General Won't Seek Election to Office," May 16, 2018
88. ↑ Politico, "Underwood easily wins legislative approval, becomes state's first female attorney general," May 22, 2018
89. ↑ New York Law Journal, "Judge Allows Maloney's Simultaneous Runs for State AG, Congress," August 9, 2018
90. ↑ New York Law Journal, "Appellate Division Green-Lights Maloney's Simultaneous Runs for NY AG, Congress," August 24, 2018
91. ↑ New York Times "Sean Patrick Maloney Jumps Into New York Attorney General’s Race," June 6, 2018
92. ↑ Huffington Post, "Zephyr Teachout Sues Sean Patrick Maloney Over Campaign Finances," September 6, 2018
93. ↑ Roll Call, "Maloney: ‘We’ll Have a Plan’ to Hold House Seat if He Wins New York AG Nod," June 6, 2018
94. ↑ Crain's, "REBNY brass raises cash for Sean Patrick Maloney in AG race," September 11, 2018
95. ↑ Popular Information, "This could be the most important election of 2018," September 12, 2018
96. ↑ City and State New York, "Zephyr Teachout has a plausible path to victory," July 18, 2018
97. ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "State and Local Primary Results - 2014," accessed September 29, 2017
98. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed October 25, 2019
99. ↑ FairVote, "Primaries," accessed October 25, 2019
100. ↑ Ballotpedia research conducted December 26, 2013, through January 3, 2014, researching and analyzing various state websites and codes.
101. ↑ Board of Elections in the City of New York, "Frequently Asked Questions," accessed October 25, 2019
102. ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Frequently Asked Questions," accessed October 17, 2019
103. ↑ 103.0 103.1 New York State Board of Elections, “Register to Vote,” accessed October 4, 2019
104. ↑ New York State Board of Elections, “Voter Registration Deadlines,” accessed October 4, 2019
105. ↑ New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, “Register to Vote Online - Electronic Voter Registration Application,” accessed October 4, 2019
106. ↑ Spectrum News, "Cuomo Signs Automatic Voter Registration Measure," December 22, 2020
107. ↑ Office of the Governor of New York, "Governor Cuomo Signs New York Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2020 into Law," December 22, 2020
108. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Provisional Ballots," accessed October 7, 2019
109. ↑ FindLaw, "New York Consolidated Laws, Election Law - ELN § 5-210. Registration and enrollment and change of enrollment upon application," accessed November 12, 2019
110. ↑ FindLaw, "New York Consolidated Laws, Election Law - ELN § 8-302. Voting; verification of registration," accessed November 12, 2019
111. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Voter Identification Requirements|Voter ID Laws," June 5, 2017
112. ↑ The Washington Post, "Do I need an ID to vote? A look at the laws in all 50 states," October 27, 2014
113. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Laws Governing Early Voting," August 2, 2019
114. ↑ NY 1, "It's Official: Early Voting is Coming to New York," January 24, 2019
115. ↑ New York State Senate, "Voting Package Summary and Analysis," January 14, 2019
116. ↑ 116.0 116.1 New York State Board of Elections, "Absentee Voting," accessed December 16, 2013
117. ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Voting Deadlines," accessed November 14, 2019
118. ↑ New York Consolidated Laws, "Election 8-412," accessed July 26, 2021
119. ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
120. ↑ 270towin.com, "New York," accessed June 1, 2017
121. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
122. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
123. ↑ Democrats won Assembly District 9 in a special election on May 23, 2017. The seat was previously held by a Republican.

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State executive offices

Offices|

Governor • Lt. Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Schools • Insurance Commissioner • Controller • Agriculture Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commissioner

States|

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Elections|

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Features|

Chart of state executive officers • Compensation • Gubernatorial power comparison • How gubernatorial vacancies are filled • Irregular office changes • State executive officials serving in home states • State government trifectas • State of the state addresses • Term limits

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Ballotpedia

About|

Overview • What people are saying • Support Ballotpedia • Contact • Contribute • Job opportunities

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Executive: Leslie Graves, President • Gwen Beattie, Chief Operating Officer • Ken Carbullido, Vice President of Election Product and Technology Strategy

Communications: Kayla Harris • Megan Brown • Mary Dunne • Sarah Groat • Lauren Nemerovski
External Relations: Alison Prange • Sara Key • Kari Berger • Hannah Nelson
Operations: Meghann Olshefski • Lauren Dixon • Kelly Rindfleisch • Sara Horton • Elizabeth Brown
Policy: Christopher Nelson • Caitlin Styrsky • Molly Byrne • Katharine Frey • Jace Lington • Jimmy McAllister
Tech: Matt Latourelle, Tech Manager • Ryan Burch • Michael Cella • Kirsten Corrao • Margaret Kearney • Tom Reitz

Contributors: Scott Rasmussen

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Editorial|

Geoff Pallay, Editor-in-Chief • Daniel Anderson, Managing Editor • Josh Altic, Managing Editor • Cory Eucalitto, Managing Editor • Mandy Gillip, Managing Editor • Jerrick Adams • Victoria Antram • Dave Beaudoin • Jaclyn Beran • Marielle Bricker • Ryan Byrne • Kate Carsella • Kelly Coyle • Megan Feeney • Tyler King • Doug Kronaizl • Amee LaTour • David Luchs • Brittony Maag • Andrew McNair • Jackie Mitchell • Elisabeth Moore • Ellen Morrissey • Mackenzie Murphy • Paul Rader • Ethan Rice • Abbey Smith • Janie Valentine • Caitlin Vanden Boom • Joel Williams • Corinne Wolyniec • Samuel Wonacott • Mercedes Yanora