In two elections over the last eight years, progressives have hit something of a ceiling with their candidates for governor. In 2014, Zephyr Teachout secured about 35% of the vote; virtually the same share went to Cynthia Nixon in 2018. 

But for those in the progressive movement, they believe 2022 will be different and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams will be able to reach new voters as he runs a primary campaign against incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul. 

Citizen Action of New York's Rebecca Garrard in a Capital Tonight interview suggested Hochul, in part, has benefitted from an extended honeymoon following the resignation of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

"We all share in that celebration,” she said. “It's been a long decade-plus of austerity politics, abuse of politics. We share in that celebration of a new era. But I think we're in a moment where the rubber is hitting the road and we're really analyzing what does three branches of Democratic policy look like. This is where Jumaane has a real chance to separate himself from Gov. Hochul in terms of what do policies that center, everyday New Yorkers look like."

And there are frustrations for progressive advocates, who are trying to gain traction on issues like measures to make it harder for tenants to be evicted by landlords, as well as more funds for undocumented workers not covered by federal pandemic relief. 

Hochul's speech at the state Democratic convention on Thursday was briefly interrupted by protesters calling for those measures to be addressed.  

"When we don't see these policies moving forward, desperate times call for desperate measures," Garrard said.