On Tuesday night, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado were able to fend off primary challengers from their left and right and clinch the Democratic nomination for their respective offices.

Sochie Nnaemeka, New York state director of the Working Families Party, told Capital Tonight that “voter malaise” about the economy and federal inaction, along with the influence of “big money,” led to a disappointing night for progressive candidates, including Jumaane Williams and Ana Maria Archila.

Williams, the New York City public advocate, ran with the backing of the progressive Working Families Party for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination against Hochul. Williams had run against Hochul in 2018 for the lieutenant governor nomination and received nearly 47% of the vote. Despite that strong showing, Williams received less than 20% of the vote in this 2022 rematch, which included U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, of Long Island.

• SEE ALSO | Interactive: How New Yorkers voted in the 2022 primaries for governor

Nnaemeka said the party’s message did resonate with voters on issues of housing affordability and addressing climate change.

“We do know voters were really looking for a real response from government in response to crime, inflation and the other crises facing working people,” Nnaemeka argues.

Hochul and Delgado will face off against Republicans Lee Zeldin and Alison Esposito in the November election. Nnaemeka said the Working Families Party won’t play the role of spoiler in the election, but will be pushing for action on issues which she argues are popular with voters.