New York (AFP) – Few expected New York to figure among the political battlegrounds in play in the United States ahead of Tuesday’s crucial vote, but Democrats are scrambling as a Trump-backer gains substantial ground statewide and pivotal races narrow. Factors ranging from inflation to public safety perceptions have fostered competitive House fights in the state Democrats thought they had in the bag, and where high city turnout will be crucial to staving off a major upset in a remarkably tight gubernatorial race. Over the summer incumbent Kathy Hochul enjoyed a comfortable lead, as New York st…