In an unprecedented move for New York State, voters have elected two women candidates for its highest offices in this year’s general election. Governor Kathy Hochul has won her second full term, and former City Council speaker Adrienne Adams, who will become the first Black woman lieutenant governor. Hochul fended off Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in the race.
Hochul thanked her family and her and on-the-ground team for helping her win and also the people of New York. “Thank you for putting your trust in me,” said Hochul at the Democratic watch party Tuesday night. “Serving has your governor has been the privilege of my lifetime and I will never, ever, ever take your faith in me for granted.”
According to the city’s unofficial Board of Elections (BOE) results, there was a surge in early voting with 690,526 ballots cast; mostly in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. The Associated Press reported an early lead for Hochul at the close of the polls with 77% of the votes out the gate.
She held her watch party with supporters and colleagues at the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan on Election Night on November 3, 2026. But that was part of a nationwide thrashing by Democrats over Republicans in a repudiation of Donald Trump and MAGA conservatives. With Democrats winning an estimated 248 House seats, the massive victory sets House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to become the next House Speaker, making him the first African American to hold the position.
“The wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected tried to buy this election,” said Jeffries Tuesday night. “The American people have responded in a resounding way and made clear that America is not for sale.”
Around the country, former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has become the first Black governor of Georgia and the first Black woman in U.S. history to serve in such a role. In addition, GOP Rep. Byron Donalds becomes the first Black governor of Florida and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has become the first Black governor of Wisconsin.
Latino candidates did very well in major gubernatorial races as well. Texas State Rep. Gina Hinojosa upset Gov. Greg Abbott as he bid for his fourth term, and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has defeated political commentator Steve Hilton to become governor of California.
Road to victory
Hochul became the state’s first female governor after former Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned due to several sexual harassment scandals in 2021. She was his lieutenant governor at the time. She went on to run for and win her first full term as governor in her own right in 2023. Her reelection marks her second full term in office.
Adams was New York City’s first Black woman City Council speaker, prior to her being Hochul’s running mate in the 2026 gubernatorial race.
Having two women on the same ticket and win is not unheard of in other states, but it’s unprecedented for New York.
As the polls closed, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that he was grateful for the partnership with Hochul and excited to get to work.
Upstarts like Congressmember-elect Darializa Avila-Chevalier in Harlem and Claire Valdez in Brooklyn were officially voted into office after their shocking wins in the primaries.
Avila-Chevalier cast her ballot at Harlem Renaissance High School on the morning of Election Day. She confirmed that she’d support Jeffries for Speaker.
Meanwhile, New York Attorney General Letitia James, who spent the last month or so blitz campaigning with Hochul and Adams, also snagged a win in her race for re-election. She’s made a career for the last several years battling President Donald Trump in court. She had 74% of the votes at the close of the polls over her opponent, reported the AP.
“Tonight, New Yorkers have made their voices heard, and I am honored to continue serving them as Attorney General for a historic third term,” Hochul said in a statement shortly after her win was announced.
