Tuesday night, Gov. Kathy Hochul celebrated her primary win at the Tribeca Rooftop event venue, a location with a skylight–a literal glass ceiling. Her victory, which was called by the Associated Press at 9:26 p.m., makes Hochul the first woman to win a major-party gubernatorial nomination in New York.
“I stand on the shoulders of generations of women, generations of women who constantly had to bang up against that glass ceiling,” Hochul said. “To the women of New York, this one is for you.”
It was also a decisive win. With 97 percent of election districts statewide reporting, she had over 66 percent of the votes in Democratic primary. Progressive challenger and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams received 19 percent and moderate Thomas Suozzi had 13 percent. Williams won the Working Families party primary, where he ran unopposed.
In Monroe County, unofficial results showed Hochul with an even larger margin of victory. The governor was backed by 78 percent of Democratic voters who cast ballots in the primary. Williams and Suozzi earned 13 percent and 8 percent, respectively.
Hochul’s key opponent in the general election will be Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin, who came out on top of the four-way race in the Republican primary. Zeldin won roughly 43 percent of votes cast in Monroe County and statewide.
“Are we ready to fire Kathy Hochul?” Zeldin said to begin his victory celebration. The staunch Trump ally promised in his speech to restore balance and common sense to state government.
Although Andrew Guiliani had some buzz around his campaign and did well in New York City, it did not translate to a win for the son of Rudy Guiliani. He about 23 percent of the votes while Rob Astorino, the former county executive of Westchester County, and businessman Harry Wilson received 18 percent and 15 percent, respectively.
Turnout for Tuesday’s primary elections was low. In New York City, 2.4 percent of eligible primary election voters participated in early voting, far less than the 37.4 percent in 2020 and 26.5 percent in 2021.
Monroe County saw a similar downward trend in primary voting participation, particularly with Democrats. The party’s primary voters declined from 37.3 percent to 13.9 percent, which was below the turnout percentage for Republicans for the first time in five years. Republican primary voter turnout also decreased from 23 percent to 15.8 percent between 2021 and 2022. If this trend holds for the general election, it could affect many races.
Other notable contests decided last night included the Democratic lieutenant governor’s race, where Antonio Delgado, who was appointed by Hochul, fended off immigrant rights advocate Ana Maria Archila (who was allied with Williams) and former New York City Council member Diana Reyna (who was allied with Suozzi). Delgado won with over 50 percent of the votes in both New York State and Monroe County.
LaToya Lee had 31 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary race for City Court judge with Jacquelyn Grippe right behind her at 30 percent. The other two candidates, Van White and Constance Patterson, each received roughly 19 percent.
In local primary contests, Robin Wilt, a Brighton town councilwoman who previously ran unsuccessfully for the 25th Congressional District seat, beat incumbent Patrina Freeman for Democratic State Committee member with over 50 percent of the votes.
Similarly, primaries for a slate of Democratic County Committee members in the city of Rochester and Brighton were determined last night as well. Democratic committee members are typically responsible for organizing for candidates across the ballot and making sure they receive the proper amount of signatures.
Jacob Schermerhorn is a Rochester Beacon contributing writer. The Beacon welcomes comments from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name.
I cringe evetime I hear another “first”. That is especially the case of a “first” in politics. It is as though being first is a qualification for being the next. My daughter, some 25 years ago decided to join the Navy. As a Marine, I was fine with that decision. (although some dads would have threatened the recruiter) My daughter knew no glass ceiling. She always said, I’m just going to prove my worth. That stated the day she graduated from boot camp. She received the full support of her parents and grandparents by attending the graduation. From the graduation to school. She applied for and was the only female in her class. She completed the course at or near the top. She became a Plane Captain aboard a carrier. I’m proud to say she was one of the first to serve on a carrier. She didn’t break the ceiling, she proved herself on paper and on the deck of the carrier. When back on base I visited her. Being a camera buff, the commanding Senior Chief noticed me and introduced himself. My daughter had to bring in another F-18 and the Chief offered to take me to a spot where I could easily photograph the process. When we came to the sight he said to me, I actually wanted to, in private, commend you on the raising of your daughter. She is a leader and a blessing to have in our command. Were there limits in the past,..yup. How were they overcome? By proving ones self over time. My daughter never thought of glass, just working hard and blazing the trail.
First for our, actually as of late, your, governor elect? There is a significant difference between a Plane Captain on a carrier in the Navy and becoming the governor elect. I got that. That said, I’ll take my daughters approach over the politicians insistence and praise of the political “firsts” any day. To be frank, I tire of all the “firsts” of late. That alone does not qualify anyone for anything. It’s competence and the like.
Semper Fi.
“The staunch Trump ally promised in his speech to restore balance and common sense to state government.” That’s the finest example of a self-contradictory statement that I’ve ever read!