Kathy Hochul Wins New York Democratic Primary: NY1, AP Projections

NEW YORK CITY — Gov. Kathy Hochul will win the Democratic primary for New York's governor — and she'll face Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin in November, NY1 and the Associated Press project.

Hochul had a sizable lead Tuesday night over Democratic challengers Jumaane Williams and Rep. Thomas Suozzi with 39.85 percent of the vote counted, according to NY1.

The projected win gives Hochul a chance in the Nov. 8 election to become the first woman to serve a full term as New York's governor.

“To the women of New York: This one’s for you,” Hochul said, dressed in white.

And Hochul's nod to progress in New York didn't stop there — she and her Democratic supporters Tuesday night framed her victory as a step against a national wave of right-wing extremism exemplified by the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

"Are you with me when we stand up for real New York values, our hard-earned values that we've had since Seneca Falls all the way to Stonewall," she said. "Are you with me? Because I'm with all of you."

Zeldin, for his part, cast his win as a "rescue mission" to save New York. He argued Hochul and one-party Democratic rule by self-described socialists had weakened the state.

“Are we ready to fire Kathy Hochul?” he said as he launched in a 25-minute-long victory speech.

Preliminary Governor's Primary Results

Hochul held 67.4 percent of the vote to Williams' 19.6 percent and Suozzi's 13 percent, NY1 reported.

Those results were as of 11:38 p.m.

Zeldin faced a crowded GOP field against Andrew Giuliani, Harry Wilson and Rob Astorino. Early results Tuesday night had showed a tight race between Giuliani and Zeldin.

But Zeldin pulled far ahead by about 10:30 p.m., when NY1 called the race for him.

Zeldin had 44.2 percent of the vote to Giuliani's 23.1 percent, according to NY1.

Delgado Projected To Win Lieutenant Governor Primary

Hochul's running mate Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado is also projected to win the Democratic primary for that position, according to NY1. Delgado likewise held a comfortable lead as of 9:49 p.m. over Ana María Archila, a Brooklyn-based advocate who ran alongside Williams as an unabashed progressive pairing.

Delgado, in his victory speech, inveighed against the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and other "regressive" forces.

"This is the fight of our lives," he said.

What Hochul's, Zeldin's Primary Win Could Mean For New York City

The results will set up a Nov. 8 gubernatorial contest that could significantly impact New York City.

Hochul — who has deep roots in Buffalo — has focused much of her attention on New York City, such when she highlighted plans to push forward Penn Station's upcoming $6 billion redesign.

She has also worked closely with Mayor Eric Adams on issues ranging from gun violence, subway safety, 24/7 speed cameras and more.

But Adams hasn’t entirely been on the same page as Hochul. His push for more extensive bail reform rollbacks stalled, and he bristled as state officials imposed smaller class sizes on the city’s public schools.

Still, while Adams only belatedly endorsed Hochul, it seems they have an overall productive relationship that stands in stark contrast to the bitter animosity between former mayor Bill de Blasio and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Adams, speaking at Hochul's campaign headquarters Tuesday night, warned against "right-wing extremists" who seek to take away the governor's mansion.

"Not under our watch. Not under our time. Not under our moment," he said.

"Let's win this fight in November."

New York City, however, won't have an elected voice in the Executive Mansion's orbit under a potential new Hochul administration.

Delgado is from the Hudson Valley. His predicted win over Archila also deals a blow to progressives who saw Archila's candidacy as the best chance to advance a left-leaning agenda in New York, given Hochul's strong standing in the polls but overall lack of enthusiasm in the race. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, among other prominent New York progressives, endorsed Archila.

A win by Delgado represents a victory for more moderate Democrats in New York who have shown a willingness to walk back the state's bail reforms.

Republicans Seek Return To Power

Bail reform, among other public safety issues, loomed large in the GOP primary race.

Zeldin, during his victory speech, repeatedly attacked "cashless bail." He also promised his first act in office would be to fire Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whom he has deemed as dangerously soft-on-crime.

Both Zeldin and Giuliani campaigned heavily not only on public safety stances, but also their closeness to former president Donald Trump.

Indeed, Giuliani once worked in Trump's White House and his father has prominently peddled unfounded conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election. And Rudy Giuliani also drummed up some last-minute attention for his son's campaign when he dubiously claimed that a heckler's back slap Sunday could have killed him.

But Zeldin ultimately pulled ahead, according to NY1. Democrats on Tuesday night cast any Republican victory in November as something that could put into doubt New York's "safe harbor" for abortion status after the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Zeldin spent much of his victory speech highlighting other Republican candidates for office in New York.

“This is a rescue to mission to save our state and losing is not an option,” he said.