Hochul Claims Victory in Race for New York Governor; Zeldin Declines to Concede

Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, claimed victory Tuesday night in the race for New York governor, while her Republican opponent, Rep. Lee Zeldin, declined to concede the race. 

As of midnight, the race had been called in Hochul's favor by NBC, CBS, ABC, and Fox News. 

"You made me the first woman ever elected as governor of the state of New York," Hochul said in Manhattan Tuesday night. "But I'm not here to make history. I'm here to make a difference."

Zeldin told supporters that he wanted to see the final results of the election, with each vote counted, before making any decisions about a concession or victory speech.

"We have been crushing the Election Day vote across the entire state," Zeldin said.

If the results hold, Hochul will be the first woman elected governor in New York state history. It would be her first full term after being elevated to the position last year, when former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned amid claims of sexual misconduct. 

Hochul wasn’t alone in her projected win; Democrats were largely expected to hold onto power in New York, with projected wins in races for statewide office. They were also expected to retain a majority in both chambers of the state Legislature.

Attorney General Letitia James, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, and U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer — all Democrats — were projected to defeat their Republican counterparts, though by tighter margins than previous election cycles.

It was a relief for the party, which had ramped up campaign efforts in recent weeks after a series of polls showed Republicans gaining ground in statewide elections. Some polls had even shown Zeldin virtually tied with Hochul ahead of Tuesday.

But there were also warning signs for the party in a politically turbulent time. The results, as of midnight, showed  Republicans were likely to flip seats in the State Senate, and at least one seat in Congress from New York as well.

Some analysts attribute that to the natural political cycle in the U.S.; the party that controls the White House is typically more likely to lose power in the intervening elections.

In the short-term, the projected results likely won’t impact business in Albany in any meaningful way. Democrats are still expected to hold a firm majority in both the State Senate and Assembly.

The new legislative session is scheduled to begin in January.