Why is every North Country race for the NYS Legislature uncontested?

Many incumbents running unopposed this fall

By Nicole Smith, North Country Public Radio

Every New York State legislative race in the North Country is uncontested this fall, meaning that all incumbents running for re-election are guaranteed to win without facing an opponent on the ballot.

This is a notable trend, as contested races are more common in the region. In 2020, for example, four of the six legislative races in the North Country were contested.

There are a few possible explanations for why so many races are uncontested this year. One possibility is that incumbents are feeling more confident in their positions and are less worried about facing a challenger. Another possibility is that potential challengers are discouraged from running due to the high cost of campaigns and the difficulty of unseating an incumbent.

Whatever the reason, the lack of contested races in the North Country this fall is likely to have a significant impact on the region. Without competitive races, voters will have no choice but to elect the incumbents, regardless of whether they agree with their policies or not. This could lead to a more stagnant political landscape in the region, with less accountability and less opportunity for new ideas and perspectives.