Here are some key things to watch as New York's election season unfolds:
GOV. ANDREW CUOMO FACES A PRIMARY CHALLENGE
Fordham law professor Zephyr Teachout faces the governor in the Sept. 9 Democratic primary with little name recognition and daunting odds against the well-funded Cuomo.
PRIMARIES FOR BREAKAWAY DEMOCRATS
Independent Democratic Conference leader Jeff Klein is being challenged by former Assemblyman Oliver Koppell, and fellow IDC member Sen. Tony Avella faces former New York City Comptroller John Liu. Liu and Koppell say the incumbents sided with Republicans against Democrats' priorities.
BIG MONEY RACES FOR CONGRESS ACROSS THE STATE
On Long Island, in the Hudson Valley and in the North Country, deep-pocketed challengers are using their own money to take on incumbents flush with money from special interests.
CUOMO'S REPUBLICAN OPPONENT IS UNDERFUNDED AND BEHIND IN THE POLLS
Despite a black eye from reports his administration meddled in the activities of an anti-corruption commission, Cuomo outguns Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino by far in campaign funds and opinion polls.
VOTERS WILL SEE A REFERENDUM ON CHANGING REDISTRICTING
Cuomo and lawmakers support a ballot item that would change how the state redraws election district lines. Good-government groups say the proposal is flawed and won't take politics out of the process.