Hochul Projected to Win Re-Election as New York Democrats Sweep 2026 Midterms

New York Democrats swept the 2026 midterm elections across statewide and congressional races in what observers are calling a blue tsunami. The Associated Press called the governor's race at around 9:15 p.m., projecting that Governor Kathy Hochul would win re-election over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman. Running with Hochul as her lieutenant governor is former City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams of Queens; together, they are poised to become the first all-female duo at the top of New York's executive branch.

Two other statewide Democratic incumbents also secured landslide victories. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli defeated Republican Joseph Hernandez, and State Attorney General Letitia James of Brooklyn beat Republican nominee Saritha Komatireddy.

In Congress, Brooklyn's Hakeem Jeffries — the House Minority Leader — was among New York representatives on the ballot. Should Democrats retake control of the House, as many pundits expect, Jeffries would likely be positioned to become the next Speaker of the House in January.

New York City voters also faced five ballot questions put forward by the Commission on Government Efficiency, a body Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed this year to streamline city government and ease land use and construction processes. Full results for local races are available through the New York State and New York City Boards of Elections.