Gov. Andrew Cuomo won his third term as New York’s top elected official Tuesday, fending off a challenge from Republican Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro.
Letitia James, the Democratic nominee for New York State Attorney General, became the first African-American woman to hold the title of the state’s top law enforcement post. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul was re-elected along with New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, a Democrat from Long Island who declared victory over Republican Jonathan Trichter. And New York State Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) was re-elected to a second term.
The Associated Press projected the governor’s win one minute after the polls closed at 9 p.m. His re-election comes amid increasing speculation that Cuomo will mount a bid to challenge President Donald Trump in 2020.
“I am humbled by the support of New York,” Cuomo told cheering supporters during his victory speech in New York City. “I will work every day to vindicate the confidence that the people of New York have put in me.”
Also running were Howie Hawkins on the Green Party line, Libertarian Larry Sharpe and Stephanie A. Miner, who ran on the Serve America Movement party line.
The gubernatorial race was at the top of the ticket during the mid-term elections in which election officials reported above-average turnout, as voters heeded calls to consider this Election Day a referendum on Trump’s policies. Cuomo spent much of his victory speech attacking the president.
“Today’s election made clear, this state is not buying what Trump is selling,” Cuomo said, calling Trump a fraud. “We are not a nation of red states and blue states, we are a nation of red, white and blue states.”
This is a breaking news update. Check back as the story develops.
