WASHINGTON_A candidate backed by national Democrats in New York's 24th District lost her primary Tuesday for the Syracuse-based seat the party is targeting in its quest to win back the House.
With 84 percent of precincts reporting, professor and activist Dana Balter led the DCCC-backed Juanita Perez Williams, 63 percent to 37 percent, when The Associated Press called the race. Balter will face two-term Republican Rep. John Katko in November.
Balter had the backing of local Democrats, but the DCCC recruited former Syracuse mayoral candidate Perez Williams to jump into the race shortly before the filing deadline.
Local Democrats pushed back against the national intervention, but party operatives saw Perez Williams, a veteran and prosecutor, as a stronger challenger to Katko. Republicans are confident Katko has built an independent brand in the district, which Hillary Clinton carried by 4 points in 2016. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race Likely Republican.
11th District Army veteran Max Rose handily won the Democratic primary in the Staten Island-based 11th District, garnering 65 percent of the vote, with 96 percent of precincts reporting, according to the AP.
Although Democrats might have been clamoring to take on convicted felon and former Rep. Michael G. Grimm, Republican incumbent Dan Donovan easily fended off Grimm's primary challenge Tuesday night. Democrats still think they can make this race competitive, especially given Rose's military background and his strength as a fundraiser. President Donald Trump carried the district by 10 points in 2016, and Inside Elections rates the race Likely Republican.
