Gov. Kathy Hochul has defeated Republican challenger Lee Zeldin to become the first woman elected governor of New York.
“You made me the first woman ever to be elected as the governor of the state of New York” Hochul said Tuesday night during her victory speech at Capitale in Chinatown. Hochul seemed determined to not let identity politics get in the way of her victory, stating “I’m not here to make history, I’m here to make a difference.”
Hochul stepped in for Andrew Cuomo when he resigned in August 2021. This will be her first full term as governor.
The New York State Board of Elections shows that Hochul defeated Zeldin by 5.14 percentage points, winning a 52.16 percent to her opponent’s 47.02 percent.
Out of a total of 12,124,242 total eligible voters across the state, 5,670,465 votes were cast with Hochul receiving 2,957,602 and Zeldin 2,666,065.
Hochul dominated in key areas such as Kings County receiving 378,897 and in Manhattan pulling in 347,601 total votes. Those two counties alone combined for 726,498 votes.
Zeldin won in 50 counties across upstate New York (and Staten Island), but Hochul garnered enough votes in New York City and other population center such as the Capital Region, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo to claim the lead.
Hochul concluded her speech by saying “the lessons of tonight’s victory are that given the choice New Yorkers refuse to go backwards on our long march toward progress.”
Zeldin’s campaign has reported that they will concede in the race for New York. It is unlikely Zeldin will deliver a speech, but will instead issue a statement.
