Previewing New York's Primary Election

**Brian Lehrer** (0:10)
It's The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC. Good morning, everyone. Well, this is gonna be some kind of weekend in politics and in sports. The first World Cup match at MetLife, they have to call it New York, New Jersey Stadium for branding reasons, something about they can't call it MetLife, I don't know. But the first World Cup match locally is tomorrow night, six o'clock, Morocco versus Brazil. That's a sports story, a global affairs story, and definitely a transportation story around here, right? Right after that, because it should be over by then, starting at 8.30, the Knicks could win the NBA Championship tomorrow night as if you didn't know. That game is in San Antonio, not at the Garden. But it's potentially a New York euphoria story, of course, and a safety and midtown story after what happened on the streets on Wednesday night. Sunday is Flag Day and President Trump's 80th birthday. That has also become the occasion for a sporting event, if you count ultimate fighting as sports. Trump is making a UFC match, the first ever sporting event to take place at the White House on Sunday. I assume there'll be a prize for the winner and cake for the spectator in chief. Oh, by the way, voting begins tomorrow in the New York primary, and that's what we'll start with today. Later, we'll discuss Flag Day, UFC Trump with Michael Shearer from The Atlantic. At the end of the show, we'll invite people from New Jersey, specifically New Jersey today, because that's where the games are, to say how you're helping to welcome fans from other countries who are taking hotel rooms and Airbnbs to watch their national teams. That'll be in our last 15 minutes this morning. People in New Jersey, in areas where people are coming to, maybe work in hospitality or whatever, will take your calls. But first, the New York primary.
This is overwhelmingly a Democratic primary season in New York. That's where the really contested contests are. As you've been hearing, like in our various candidate forums, and our Jerry Nadler district debate on TV and on the station and other places. We'll talk to two reporters covering the primaries who'll join us in a sec. But this is also our first informal, unofficial, thoroughly unscientific exit poll of this primary. Some of you may have already voted by mail. And here's our question. If you've made up your mind in any New York primary in the last two weeks, who did you decide to vote for and why? 212-433-WNYC. Again, if you've made up your mind in any New York primary in the last two weeks, who did you decide to vote for and why? We can also take questions you have for our guests if you're still undecided.
212-433-WNYC, 212-433-9692, call or text. Dan Goldman or Brad Lander in that congressional primary in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Antonio Reynoso, Claire Valdez or Julie One in that one in Brooklyn and Queens. Adriano Espeyat or Daria Lisa Avila Chevalier in that one in Manhattan and the Bronx. How about among the four Democrats running to challenge Republican Congressman Mike Lawler north of the city, or the five we heard in our debate this week running to succeed Jerry Nadler in Manhattan. Is anyone paying attention to the New York State Comptroller Primary? We're going to talk about that in this segment. Or any of the state legislature ones, which we will also talk about some of, 212-433-WNYC, 212-433-9692.
If you've made up your mind in any New York Primary in the last two weeks, who did you decide to vote for and why? And we can also take any questions you have for our guests, if you're still undecided.
212-433-WNYC, call or text 212-433-9692.
And with us now are WNYC and Gothamist Albany reporter, Jon Campbell and the New York State Bureau Chief of the News Organization, City & State, Rebecca Lewis. Hey, Jon. Hey, Rebecca. Happy World Cup, UFC Flag Day, New York Knicks, High Anticipation and Early Voting Weekend.

**Jon Campbell** (4:34)
And the same to you, Brian.

**Brian Lehrer** (4:38)
Rebecca, do we have you?
Maybe not yet. So listeners, oh, there you are.

**Rebecca Lewis** (4:46)
Hello, sorry. Apologies for that. Just want to say very exciting time indeed.

**Brian Lehrer** (4:52)
Absolutely. Exciting time not to be on mute. Okay. Here's one example from our show of the national debate taking place within the Democratic Party about how far left the party should be going. We had Congressman Dan Goldman and his primary challenger, former Comptroller Brad Lander for a forum on the show. They agree on many things. It's often the first thing we should say about some of these races.