The blueprint:
- Kathy Hochul defeated Bruce Blakeman for governor
- Democrats secured majorities in the House and Senate
- Letitia James wins New York attorney general race
- Republicans have some seats on Long Island, with some counties still reporting
New York Democrats are famous for the blue wave sweeping the state, with Republicans on Long Island seemingly holding some ground.
Democrat Kathy Hochul defeated Republican Bruce Blakeman in the bid for governor, winning a second full term, with 60% of the vote, and Blakeman 40%. In Long Island, Hochul maintained a narrow lead of 50.2% to Blakeman’s 49.6% in Nassau County, and 50.3% to Blakeman’s 49.5% in Suffolk County, the results show.
“Winning the election took one night,” Hochul said during his victory speech. “Winning your confidence takes every day.”
During this year’s midterm elections, voters weighed inflation, government corruption rates, the war in Iran, immigration policy and more, according to published reports. Democrats secured majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Speaking about New York’s future, Hochul said, “I believe with every fiber of my being that New York’s full potential has yet to be unlocked and that we are at the pinnacle of the American dream and the New York dream.”
Hochul vowed to “always partner with his opponent Bruce Blakeman to deliver to the people of Nassau County. Whenever Nassau County needs its governor, I will be there because our people deserve no less,” she said.
In his concession speech, Blakeman said he told Hochul over the phone that “he ran a good race.” With the election over, “we all need to unite and work together and make New York state a better place.”
He went on to say that “you win some, you lose some…. The reality is that we are united now. We are moving forward. We have the best interests of the people at heart.”
New York, he said, “is full of beautiful people, hard-working people, people who care about their families. We care about their families, and we hope, moving forward, that they prosper, they do well, and this country can.”
New York State Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, defeated Saritha Komatireddy, with 60% of the vote.
Longtime New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, a Democrat, defeated Joseph Hernandez, with 65% of the vote.
In the 1st District, U.S. Representative Nicholas LaLota, a Republican, declared victory with 51% of the vote, with a narrow lead over challenger Christopher Gallant, a Democrat, with 49% of the vote. As of press time, Gallant had not acknowledged it.
With 95% of the 2nd District reporting, U.S. Representative Andrew Garbarino, Republican, received 51% of the vote, while Patrick Halpin, received 49%. However, Halpin has yet to admit it.
In the 3rd District, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, declared victory with 55% of the vote over challenger Michael LePetri Jr., a Republican, with 45% of the vote.
In the 4th District, U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, a Democrat, declared victory with 56% of the vote, while challenger Jeanine Driscoll scored 43%.
In the race for Suffolk comptroller, Daniel Losquadro, a Republican, is guaranteed to win narrowly over Jon Estreich, a Democrat.
Wednesday morning showed that in the race for town supervisor, in Hempstead, Joe Scianablo, Democrat, declared victory over John Ferretti, Republican.
In North Hempstead, incumbent Jennifer DeSena, a Democrat who caucuses with Republicans, is narrowly ahead of challenger Sean McCarthy, a Democrat.
In Oyster Bay, incumbent Joseph Saladino, Republican, has led decisively over challenger James Hoyle, Democrat.
In Riverhead, incumbent Jerry Halpin, a Democrat, defeated Kenneth Rothwell, a Republican.
In Southampton, incumbent Maria Moore, a Democrat, defeated Richard Corozza, a Republican.
There is an uncontested race in East Hampton, with Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, Democrat, unopposed; and in Shelter Island, with Amber Brach-Williams, Republican, who ran unopposed.