Podcast: The primary concerns

If New York state holds a congressional primary at the end of June, but no one shows up to vote, did it really happen?

This is the enduring question when it comes to holding late-season primaries at a time when an already-disengaged electorate sets off to the beach for vacation. But turnout aside, there are several interesting primary contests that bear watching next Tuesday, including the races to succeed U.S. Reps. Steve Israel and Charles Rangel, two of the most powerful and senior members of the state’s congressional delegation.

Gerson Borrero and I preview some of these races and pull back the curtain on New York Slant’s endorsement interviews (full disclosure: Slant endorsed Tom Suozzi to replace Israel and Keith Wright to replace Rangel), including which candidates impressed us the most. Gerson also gives us some “bochinche” on another veteran New York congressman, José Serrano, and his primary race.

Later, City & State’s Albany reporter Ashley Hupfl joins us to recap a sleepy legislative session in the state Capitol and why Gov. Andrew Cuomo talks a big game on ethics reform but consistently fails to deliver on those promises.

You can download, review and subscribe to this episode of The Slant Podcast on iTunes or stream the episode via Stitcher.