Faced with a revolt from two Democrats, Gov. David Paterson on Wednesday challenged Republican Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos to act like a leader and prevent a government shutdown next week.

Rep. Charlie Rangel announced last Sunday that he would run for a 21st term, and on Wednesday's Brian Lehrer show he responded to criticism of improper behavior. Rangel faces an ongoing ethics investigation involving his alleged failure to pay taxes on a home in the Dominican Republic as well as accusations that he accepted corporate trips to the Caribbean.

Congressional incumbents all survived primary night in New Jersey. Seven incumbents faced primary challenges in their own parties, but came out on top.

In New Jersey's Third District, incumbent Democrat John Adler won renomination, and Jon Runyan won the Republican race. A race between first-term Rep. Adler and ex-NFL lineman Runyan in November could be one of the nation's most competitive and expensive.

When the state legislature approved 40 percent of the state budget Monday night in the form of an emergency extender, supporters said it was a desperate measure for desperate times. But critics say it’s the wrong way to do a budget, even in the midst of a crisis.

In New Jersey's Third District, Republican Jon Runyan, a former Eagles lineman, will face Democratic freshman Rep. John Adler in a race that will be viewed as a prime national battleground. Runyan beat off a challenge from Tea Party-backed Justin Murphy, 56 to 44 percent.

The New York State legislature has passed around $385 million in health care cuts and savings as part of emergency spending measures to keep the government running.

Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel kicked off his twenty first campaign for re-election on Sunday, and added that he was not concerned about several challengers running against him.

This Tuesday, most of New Jersey's members of Congress face a primary challenge from within their own party. Close to 50 candidates are vying for the Garden State's 13 House seats.

“We want to have a unified ticket with the Democrats at the end of the day," said Dan Cantor, the executive director of the Working Families Party, a labor-backed party that wrapped up its nominating convention here today.

But endorsing Democratic candidates isn't so easy.

It took the Independence Party just over an hour to pick candidates it wants to support in New York's statewide elections. The party's meeting just outside Albany today was lightening fast because it punted one of the thorniest question of the year: who to support for attorney general.

The Working Families Party shook the New York political world when it helped elect half a dozen new City Council members and two of three citywide officials in last year's city elections.

This year, the WFP could become extinct.

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has told the state's Working Families Party he will not seek the pro-labor group's endorsement for governor, instead embracing the more conservative Independence Party.

A divided New York State Republican Party will have at least two candidates vying for a chance to run against freshman Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in the fall--and potentially a third.

Ten years after leaving the political scene, former Congressman Rick Lazio is back. New York Republicans designated him Wednesday as their candidate for governor.

GOP Delegates have chosen Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards to be New York's lieutenant governor. Edwards is Rick Lazio's running mate. Lazio received the New York GOP nomination for governor on Wednesday.

Despite opposition from the state Republican chairman, Rick Lazio survived a challenge from Democrat-turned Republican Steve Levy.  Lazio defeated Levy, the Suffolk County Executive, by a two to one margin to win the party's designation today.

Delegates at the New York State Republican Convention rebuffed Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy in his bid to get on the September Republican primary ballot to challenge former Congressman Rick Lazio.

WNYC's Azi Paybarah and Bob Hennelly report live from Day Two of the GOP convention in New York City.

New York Republicans kicked off their convention in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday. WNYC's Bob Hennelly and Azi Paybarah report live from the convention as the GOP picks its slate of candidates for the fall elections.