Suraci Out, Rigger, Martorano On The Bubble, And The Lawyers Step In, As 19th District Dems Still Duking It Out

The petitions have been filed and five Democrats are still standing in the race for the party's nomination in the 19th Congressional District.

The petition filings are as follows:

John Hall: 524 pages; Judy Aydelott: 456 pages; Ben Shuldiner: 423 pages; Darren Rigger: 147 pages; Jim Martorano: 118 pages; Gary Suraci: nothing filed

The New York State Board of Elections provides only the number of pages filed, not the number of names on each page, so figuring out the numbers can get tricky.

Rigger and Martorano, based on the number of pages, are somewhat close to the minimum number needed - 1,250. So close in fact that the Journal News' blog Politics on the Hudson is reporting that Hall has filed to challenge Rigger's petitions.

The POH blog also is reporting that Gary Suraci has dropped out of the race, citing "major differences with the Democratic Party platform."

The incumbent, Republican Rep. Sue Kelly filed petitions to appear on the Republican, Conservative and Independence party lines.

IN OTHER CONGRESSIONAL RACES:

In the 20th District, Republican incumbent John Sweeney filed on the Republican, Independence and Conservative party lines. Democratic challenger Kirsten Gillibrand filed on Democratic, Independence and Working Families party lines (although Gillibrand has only 23 pages filed for the WFP).

In the 17th District, Democratic incumbent Rep. Eliot Engel appears to have a primary challenger. Jessica Flagg filed 336 pages of names, which would seem to be enough to make the ballot. The Republican candidate in that race is Jim Faulkner.

In the 18th District, incumbent Democrat Nita Lowey also filed on the Independence Party line. Her opponent in the race will be Republican Richard Hoffman.


A.G. RACE STILL CROWDED WITH DEMOCRATS

Sean Patrick Maloney, Charlie King and Mark Green all filed what appears to be enough names to face Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary for attorney general.

TASINI IS IN

As promised by the candidate earlier this week, progressive, anti-war Democrat Jonathan Tasini filed what looks like enough petition pages to force a primary race with Sen. Hillary Clinton.

The Democrats will also, at least at this point, have a primary for governor, as Tom Suozzi - several days ago - filed his petitions for a spot on the ballot.