Agreed about one party election districts (statewide or otherwise), but winning the primary still depends on money. It's an interesting question about whether it depends on money more or less than in districts decided by the general election.

Many fewer people vote in the primary, but perhaps those people are harder to reach, or perhaps who shows up depends heavily on money (or perhaps something else).

Also, I observe that politicians want money for more than their elections. They provide funds from their treasure chest to other politicians and groups. I wonder how much that use of money affects their fundraising and money's influence on them. (I think it seems like a source of corruption, and that money donated for the election should be spent on it or returned.)

No. The difference is that NY Dem primary voters are over 50% in NYC, NY state voters are a greater portion in the general election.

So running too left can win you the primary but lose the general.

Cuomo is trying to move left but not too left to leave him vulnerable to a state challenge