Kathy Hochul has secured her first full term as the governor of New York. With 73% of votes counted, NBC News reports that Hochul holds a 10.1% lead over her opponent, Lee Zeldin.
“I’m deeply honored to be elected Governor of the State of New York,” Hochul tweeted.
Kathy Hochul is a Buffalo native and a Syracuse University graduate. Her political career began in 2011 as a member of the Hamburg Town Board from 1994 to 2007. She made the jump to Eerie County Clerk from 2007 through 2011 before becoming a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. After taking a two-year break from office, she was elected as the lieutenant governor of New York. Last year, her career took an unexpected turn when Andrew Cuomo stepped down as governor amid accusations of sexual assault. She was elevated to the state’s governor. Tonight, she transitioned from being an appointed governor to becoming an elected governor.
Kathy Hochul was not the only candidate running for office in New York this evening. Letitia James beat Michael Henry and maintained her position as attorney general. Meanwhile, Charles Schumer earned an additional term in the U.S. Senate. Rounding out key races in the state of New York, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez secured a third term in Congress.
