NEW YORK (WABC) — Gov. Kathy Hochul won reelection Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman by roughly 20 points and securing a second full term as New York’s governor.
Hochul, the state’s first female governor, ran up her largest margins in New York City, capturing about 75% of the vote while holding Blakeman below 25%. The Democratic incumbent spent much of the campaign focusing on New York City voters, making appearances alongside Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in neighborhoods where Democrats hoped to drive turnout. Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, concentrated his efforts on suburban counties and more moderate parts of the state.
Both candidates spent election night awaiting results with supporters. Hochul celebrated at a victory party in Midtown, while Blakeman gathered with supporters in Nassau County before later conceding the race.
“Serving you has taught me that leadership isn’t about just having the courage to make the tough calls… it’s about the humility to go through it all and I answer to you, the people of New York!” Hochul said during her victory speech.
Blakeman struck a conciliatory tone in his concession remarks.
“I just got off the phone with Governor Hochul. I told her she ran a great race …. now we all have to unify to make better this great state of New York,” he said.
The result also marks a historic moment for New York government. Hochul will continue as the state’s first female governor, while Adrienne Adams is set to serve as lieutenant governor, creating the first all-female statewide executive team in New York history.
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