By Florence Mafomemeh

Democrat Kathy Hochul has become the first woman elected New York governor, winning the office that she took over from former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2021 when he resigned over allegations of Sexual harrassment. 

Gov & Lt Gov-Elect Kathy Hochul & Antonio Delgado After being Elected First Female Governor Of NY

She defeated Republican congressman Lee Zeldin, an ally of Donald Trump who ran a campaign focused on fear of violent crime. “Tonight you made your voices heard loud and clear. And you made me the first woman ever elected to be the governor of the state of New York. But I’m not here to make history, I’m here to make a difference,” Hochul told supporters on election night.

“I have felt a weight on my shoulders to make sure that every little girl and all the women of the state who’ve had to bang up against glass ceilings everywhere they turn, to know that a woman could be elected in her own right and successfully govern a state as rough and tumble as New York,” the governor-elect said.

In a state where there are more than two Democrats to one Republican registered voter, the  Buffalo native had been expected to win but the race became so tight such that it turned into a nail-biter. New Yorkers haven’t had a Republican governor since Gov. George Pataki won a third term in 2002. But Zeldin made the race competitive, closing in on Hochul in the final weeks and appearing to spur her to speak more about public safety.

In his concession speech, Zeldin pointed out that the closeness of the race sends a message to the governor. “I would like to congratulate New York Governor Kathy Hochul on her election to a full four-year term,” Zeldin said in a statement Wednesday. “This race was a once in a generation campaign, with a very close margin in the bluest of blue states.” Zeldin said.

Governor-elect Hochul takes office in January alongside Lieutenant Governor Anthonio Delgado.