“Do the chickens have names?” I ask Sarahana Shrestha and her husband, Pete Cavanaugh. “Not yet,” Shrestha laughs. After the June 25 election, says the socialist Hudson Valley assemblywoman, who represents New York’s 103rd district, they’ll be able to think of names for the chickens, one of whom goes by “Rooster Man” for now. As natural and charismatic a campaigner as Shrestha is, it’s clear that she can’t wait for this primary to be over.

Shrestha, Cavanaugh, and the chickens, plus a rescue dog named Seaweed, live on a quiet country road in Esopus, near a bison farm and an animal rehab center. Their region is picturesque, with well-preserved old stone farmhouses and hardly any chain stores. But local politics here are no more idyllic than anywhere else.

Shrestha is facing a challenge from Gabi Madden, well-financed by Solidarity PAC, which supports opposition to candidates who have spoken out against Israel’s massacre of Gaza. The New York real estate industry, whose donations in this campaign (as in many other New York campaigns) have been intertwined with Solidarity PAC, is also supporting Madden. The last day of voting is Tuesday, June 25.