Kathy Hochul, who became New York’s first female governor last year, will be contesting the upcoming primary elections to retain her office. The Democrat will face fierce intra-party competition, with many candidates looking to capitalise on many controversies that have been linked to Hochul.

New York’s primary elections will be split into two parts. The polls scheduled for Tuesday will cover statewide offices and state assembly races, but primary elections for US House seats and the state Senate will be held on August 23 this year.

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Many prominent candidates have already backed out from the gubernatorial race. These include New York Attorney General Letitia James and US Congress candidate Vladimy Joseph.

However, the race is currently a deadlock between three candidates: Incumbent Kathy Hochul, US Rep. Tom Suozzi and New York City’s elected public advocate, Jumaane Williams.

Hochul stepped up to New York’s top office last year after then-governor Andrew Cuomo resigned from his position after he was linked to multiple sexual harassment allegations and scandals. Hochul was the lieutenant governor for six years.

What do other frontrunners say about Hochul?

Jumaane Williams, who is a progressive running on Hochul’s left, said that she is either “consistently shamefully out of the loop, or shamefully enabling through her inaction”, Associated Press reported.

On the other hand, US House Representative Suozzi said that Hochul is not being tough enough on crime, suggesting she should have gone further to harden the state’s bail law.

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What about the Republican side?

On the Republican side, Rep. Lee Zeldin is considered the front-runner in a crowded field that features Andrew Giuliani, the son of New York City’s former mayor Rudy Giuliani; Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino; and businessman Harry Wilson.

Former US Vice President Mike Pence has endorsed Zeldin, who also enjoys the backing of the state GOP and Conservative Party. Former US President Donald Trump has stayed clear of New York.