By Dan Murphy
NY Governor Kathy Hochul was easily reelected on Election night 2026. Hochul got 59% of the vote, with her opponent Bruce Blakeman at 39%.
Four years ago, Hochul defeated republican Lee Zeldin, 53% to 47%. This year, NY republicans took a big step backwards. Hochul defeated Blakeman on his home turf of Long Island.
What has changed in four years in New York? My guess is that the people leaving New York are more likley republicans and the people coming into New York are more likely democrats.
The other statewide races had similar results:
Attorney General Letitia James handily defeated her republican opponent Saritha Komatireddy 59%-39%. This one may hurt more for republicans because Komatireddy had run a great campaign. Look for Saritha in the years to come, perhaps as a future US Attorney for SDNY?
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli was reelected with 63%, defeating republican Joseph Hernandez with 34%.