Gov. Kathy Hochul, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Attorney General Letitia James built commanding leads on election night, putting New York’s three statewide Democratic incumbents on course for comfortable victories.
Each had more than 65% of the vote among the major candidates in unofficial returns reported at 10:10 p.m. Tuesday. DiNapoli held the largest advantage, approaching 70% against Republican Joseph Hernandez.
The tally included 7,233 of 13,187 reporting units statewide, about 55%. Results remained incomplete and unofficial, and the percentages excluded other candidates and write-in votes.
Hochul builds wide lead over Blakeman
Hochul and running mate Adrienne Adams had 2,541,445 votes, or 65.2%, against 1,358,101 votes, or 34.8%, for Republican Bruce Blakeman and Todd Hood — an advantage of nearly 1.2 million votes.
The governor entered Election Day with a consistent lead in public polling, despite Republican efforts to make the race a referendum on taxes, utility bills and crime.
An October Quinnipiac University survey put Hochul ahead 55% to 41% statewide, even as Blakeman led among upstate voters and independents. Cost of living and the economy topped voters’ concerns in that survey. Previous coverage of the Quinnipiac poll.
Affordability has been central to Hochul’s agenda. Earlier this year, New York began offering an expanded refundable child tax credit of up to $1,000 for qualifying children younger than 4. The expansion accompanied other household assistance measures, including inflation rebate checks and free school meals. Previous coverage of the expanded child tax credit.
Blakeman continued to argue that the contest was competitive in its closing days, disputing polling results and promising lower taxes and utility bills. Tuesday’s partial returns showed him facing a substantial statewide deficit. Previous coverage of the campaign’s closing arguments.
DiNapoli posts strongest showing
DiNapoli had 2,649,670 votes, or 69.1%, to Hernandez’s 1,183,089 votes, or 30.9%. His lead exceeded 1.4 million votes.
The comptroller’s work has included scrutiny of state spending and management of public retirement benefits, issues with direct consequences for local governments and taxpayers.
In February, DiNapoli warned that projected spending growth in Hochul’s proposed budget was outpacing expected revenue. His office highlighted projected cumulative budget gaps of $27.5 billion through the 2030 fiscal year, despite a stronger near-term financial position. Previous coverage of DiNapoli’s budget warnings.
His office also announced changes in pension contribution rates this fall that will affect more than 3,000 participating public employers. Average rates for civilian employees will decline slightly in 2027-28, while police and fire pension rates will rise. Previous coverage of pension contribution rates.
James holds commanding advantage
James had 2,520,232 votes, or 65.3%, against Republican Saritha Komatireddy’s 1,338,993 votes, or 34.7%, giving the attorney general a lead of nearly 1.2 million votes.
Her office’s recent work has ranged from consumer protection cases to challenges against federal policies.
Days before the election, James announced a settlement requiring a publisher of books marketed to seniors to refund eligible New York customers over misleading free-preview offers. The agreement also ended the company’s preview program in the state and imposed a $23,500 civil penalty. The company neither admitted nor denied the findings. Previous coverage of the consumer settlement.
James and Hochul also announced in August that New York had joined 24 other states in challenging another round of Trump administration tariffs, arguing that the measures were unlawful and would increase costs for consumers and businesses. The attorney general’s announcement.
All three Democrats held substantial advantages Tuesday night, though additional returns were still outstanding and final margins had yet to be determined.
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