Race to get Cyn on ballot

SHE NEEDS 15,000 petition signatures statewide to get on the September Democratic primary ballot for governor, but some close to actress Cynthia Nixon are thinking much bigger.

A source close the New York Progressive Action Network, which has 32 chapters across the state and is helping Nixon with the petitioning effort that begins Tuesday, said the goal is to collect 100,000 signatures onher behalf by the July 12 deadline. Others set a goal of half that. Nixon’s camp Sunday sought to downplayexpectations.

“No, we’re not aiming to get 100k,” campaign spokeswoman LauraHittsaid.“We havesame very enthusiastic volunteers who set a goal for themselves of 50k on a call last week — but we really consider that a stretch goal. We’re just going to collect as many as we need to get on the ballot.”

Campaigns often seek to get as many signatures as they can to show potential strength and make it easier to withstand legal challenges to the petitions.

Nixon was forced to go the petition route after failing to secure the 25% of the delegate vote at the recent state Democratic convention needed to get a spot on the primary ballot. Gov. Cuomo took more than 95%of the vote.

The Progressive Action Network source argued Cuomo would have been better off orchestrating it so Nixon and insurgent lieutenant governor candidate Jumaane Williams, a New York City councilman, got theneeded 25% to geton the ballot.

“By not letting them get 25%, he basically forced them to build a field operation — and that’s to their benefit,” the source said.

While Nixon has not publicly backed Williams’ primary challenge to Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, their nameswillappeartogetheron many of the petitions carried by volunteers, sources say.

“Ourcampaign’s focusis Cynthia but we expect that there will be overlap among volunteers,” Hitt said.

Asked about Nixon’s efforts, Cuomo campaign spokeswoman Abbey Fashouer said “anyone can petition onto the ballot — that’s called democracy.”

Meanwhile, in the race for state attorney general, city Public Advocate Letitia James is guaranteed a spot on the Democratic primary ballot after getting about 85% of the vote at theDemocratic convention.

Fordham Law professor Zephyr Teachout and former Cuomo and Hillary Clinton aide Leecia Eve have said they will go the petition route to get on the ballot.

The Republicans are not expected to have any primaries for statewide office.

Plan by gubernatorial hopeful Cynthia Nixon (left) — also touted by her pal Mayor de Blasio — for a tax on the wealthy to help fix transit system woes is not popular with some Democrats in Albany.