BronxNet hosting live primary election coverage Thursday

It's the first step in what will likely be an historical mid-term election, and one of Bronx's prominent cable channels will not let it slip away.

BronxNet — which operates six channels on both Verizon FiOS and Optimum cable systens — will host live election night coverage of Thursday's primary races, hosted by Gary Axelbank.

It will air beginning at 9 p.m. on Optimum's Channel 67 and FiOS' Channel 33, running to 11.

Among the races being watched is the primary race in the 34th Senate District between incumbent Jeffrey Klein and challenger Alessandra Biaggi. BronxNet also will keep a close eye on two other Assembly races elsewhere in the borough, as well as broader looks at the candidates running for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.

Joining Axelbank will be a series of BronxNet news partners and political experts, including Riverdale Press editor Michael Hinman, as well as journalists from the Norwood News, City Limits, Bronx Times and New York Post. Also taking part will be communications strategist Marlene Peralta, former Klein staff John Doyle, and Assemblyman Michael Blake.

"Our strong team of in-house and partnering journalists deliver programs that keep Bronxites informed as voters make choices that impact our communities," said Michael Max Knobbe, executive director of BronxNet, in a release. "Our partnerships with leading local news outlets and analysts enhance our voter education programs as we bring you the results of Bronx and statewide races, live on BronxNet."

Because this year's primary coincides with the day the newspaper publishes, senate primary results will be available at RiverdalePress.com on Thursday, with follow-up coverage in the Sept. 20 print edition of The Riverdale Press.