New York to hold primaries for offices including NYC mayor

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio faces a crowded primary field, but no challengers with his organizing power or financial muscle, as he seeks a second term as the leader of the country's largest city.
De Blasio is one of five Democrats running in today's primary. He's considered the favorite against Sal Albanese, Richard Bashner, Robert Gangi and Michael Tolkin.
The winner of today's contest will face Republican state Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, of Staten Island, and independent candidate Bo Dietl, a private detective, in November.
New York City also was holding primaries today for other local offices. One City Council race in Queens is attracting attention because of the candidacy of Hiram Monserrate, a former councilman and state lawmaker who was expelled from the state Senate after he was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend.

Monserrate later served nearly two years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud and corruption charges in a separate case. He faces state Assemblyman Francisco Moya in the Democratic primary.
Several other notable primary races will be settled across the state.

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan faces challenges from City Common Councilman Frank Commisso Jr. And Council President Carolyn McLaughlin, fellow Democrats.
In Syracuse, three Democrats are running to succeed Democrat Stephanie Miner, who is term-limited. They are City Auditor Marty Masterpole, city Councilman Joseph Nicoletti and Juanita Perez Williams, a former assistant state attorney general and former associate dean of students at Syracuse University.

To the west, Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren faces former journalist Rachel Barnhart and county lawmaker and former police chief James Sheppard in the Democratic primary.
In Buffalo, Mayor Byron Brown is considered the likely winner in a Democratic contest with City Comptroller Mark Schroeder and county lawmaker Betty Jean Grant.
The winners will move on to the November general election.
And on Long Island, Nassau County Democrats will decide the county executive primary matchup between Laura Curran and George Maragos. Republican Jack Martins, a former state senator, will be on the November ballot.
Incumbent Ed Mangano, a Republican under federal indictment in a case in which he's alleged to have taken bribes, is not seeking another term. Mangano has pleaded not guilty.

Most party primaries in New York state are closed contests, meaning a voter must be a registered member of the party in order to cast a ballot.
Polls open at 6 am in New York City, Long Island and Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Erie and Westchester counties. In the rest of the state they open at noon. Polls close statewide at 9 pm.