Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is set to win re-election after defeating Republican candidate Bruce Blakeman in the New York gubernatorial election held Tuesday, Nov. 3, amNewYork reported. With her running mate, former City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, she forms the first governor–lieutenant governor ticket in New York state history made up of two women. On immigration policy, Blakeman pledged to expand cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities, while Hochul said she would stand up to the federal government.
According to amNewYork, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul was projected to defeat Republican candidate Bruce Blakeman and win a second term. In the unofficial tally from the City Board of Elections cited in the original report, Hochul received 59.20% and Blakeman 39.58%. Her running mate, former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, was also elected, making the two the first women elected as governor and lieutenant governor in New York state history. Adams is the first Black woman elected lieutenant governor.
Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, focused his campaign on the cost of living, taxes, public safety and immigration policy. He pledged to exempt the first $50,000 of income from state income tax for single filers and the first $100,000 for joint filers. He also promised to lower utility bills and to expand cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities. Hochul campaigned on middle-class tax cuts, energy rebate checks, housing measures and expanded child care programs, and she sought to tie Blakeman to President Donald Trump, who endorsed him. Blakeman conceded to Hochul by phone.
In her victory speech, Hochul acknowledged that the win would not immediately lower rent or grocery bills, and she pledged to keep working on the cost of living over the next four years. She said she could work with President Trump on jobs, prices and public safety, but would stand up to him if he threatened the rights of New Yorkers. The original report said Hochul's re-election also means her working relationship with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will continue. The two have worked in step on expanding free child care in the city. However, Hochul has so far opposed the tax increases on the wealthy and corporations that Mamdani has called for. Mamdani praised Hochul for standing up to the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the city and to cuts in Medicaid and SNAP (food assistance for low-income residents) funding.
Adams served as New York City Council speaker from 2022 to 2025 and finished fourth in last year's Democratic mayoral primary. She became Hochul's running mate at Hochul's invitation in February this year and will succeed current Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado. Adams told supporters, "We need more than a historic night," and said she would deliver results. On the same day, New York State Attorney General Letitia James was tallied as winning re-election with 58.92% (as of the time the original report was written), and State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli with 62.9%. All of the above are unofficial results as of the time the original report was written.