Today was Election Day in New York and across the country. As it is an even numbered year, all statewide offices, seats in the New York State Senate and Assembly, U.S. House of Representatives, Senator Schumer’s senate seat and a variety of local races were on the ballot. There was also one ballot initiative for voters to decide on. This was the first election cycle for statewide candidates since New York adopted early voting. More than 1.1 million New Yorkers voted early, and thousands more cast absentee ballots. While we know the results of the early and election day votes, the absentee ballots will continue to be counted as they arrive at county boards of election throughout the state. The counting of the absentee ballots means that the results from many races will not be finalized for days, and perhaps weeks, to come. However, there are still many decisive results from today’s election.

New York Governor’s Race

In what became a high-profile race, Governor Kathy Hochul, and her Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, were elected to their first full term as Governor and Lieutenant Governor defeating the Republican challengers Representative Lee Zeldin and his running mate Alison Esposito. This race garnered national attention as the polls showed this race being closer than what is typically seen in New York for a Democratic candidate. However, in the end, Governor Hochul won the election and made history as the first woman to be elected as the Governor of New York.

New York Attorney General and Comptroller Races

Attorney General Letitia James beat Republican challenger Michael Henry, securing her second term as Attorney General. Likewise, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli won his fifth term of office, beating Republican challenger Paul Rodriguez.

State Senate and State Assembly Races

All 213 seats in the State Legislature were up for election this year. Although we will not know the final results in several races until later this month, we do know that the Democrats maintained the majority vote in both the Senate and the Assembly. In the Assembly, the Democrats appear to have retained their veto-proof majority, while Democrats in the Senate appear poised to lose their veto-proof majority. Nonetheless, the Democrats will still have a solid majority in both houses and a Democratic Governor to work with on priority issues. Once all election results are certified, we will send an update with the exact majority breakdown in each house. In both the Senate and Assembly, several incumbents are in very tight races that will come down to the absentee ballot counts. This is notable because several of these incumbent’s chair key committees in both houses, meaning that we may see new committee chairs in both the Assembly and Senate next session.

Federal Races

Senator Charles Schumer successfully secured his fifth term in the Senate, beating Republican challenger Joe Pinion.

In addition, New Yorkers voted on all 26 of the state’s House of Representatives seats, after losing one seat in the redistricting process. The outcome of several of these races will also come down to the absentee count, but it appears New York Republicans have picked up a few seats in the House of Representatives, which has national implications.

Statewide Ballot Initiative

Voters passed the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 would allocate $4.2 billon toward environmental projects. The Bond Act will be allocated as follows:

• $1.5 billion in climate change mitigation, including funding for zero emission school buses and the training required to enable the current workforce to repair such buses;
• $1.1 billion to reduce flooding risk and improve restoration after floods;
• $650 million for land conservation;
• $650 million to improve the State’s water quality and resiliency infrastructure; and
• $300 million in unallocated funds.

We will continue to monitor the election results and once certified, we will send a results list. As always, if you have any questions, please let us know.