A big night for Democrats here, nationwide

Rep. Joe Morelle easily won reelection Tuesday in New York’s 25^th Congressional District, as Democrats nationwide were posting stunning results, according to unofficial results reported by AP.

Morelle defeated Republican challenger Virginia McIntrye. With 75% of the vote counted, the Democratic congressional representative had 63%.

By shortly after midnight, AP had Democrats winning at least 52 seats in the U.S. Senate, flipping control. The party was also projected to regain control of the House of Representatives.

New York’s Democratic incumbents also prevailed in the statewide races, led by Gov. Kathy Hochul, who defeated Republican Bruce Blakeman by a 20-point margin. Attorney General Latitia James beat GOP challenger Saritha Komatireddy and Controller Thomas DiNapoli outpolled Republican Joseph Hernandez.

The Rochester Beacon is providing live vote-count updates here as AP reports them.

Congress

The 25th Congressional District has been a Democratic stronghold since Louise Slaughter held the seat from 1987 to 2018. After she passed away, Morelle won both the special election to complete Slaughter’s term and the general election for a full term, and he has held the seat ever since.

In addition to a sizable Democratic enrollment advantage in the district, Morelle enjoyed a huge financial edge. Federal financial disclosure reports showed contributions to his campaign totaling over $2.3 million, compared with McIntyre’s total of $26,108.

In the 24th Congressional District, incumbent Republican Claudia Tenney had 60%, with 95% of the vote counted.

Tenney, who first won election in the district four years ago, was challenged by Alissa Ellman, an Afghanistan War veteran and political newcomer. Like Morelle, Tenney ran with advantageous district enrollment and outraised Ellman by a big margin: $1.4 million versus roughly $300,000 in donations to the Democrat’s campaign.

State Senate

In the state Senate’s 55th District, Democrat Samra Brouk won reelection with 66% of the vote, turning back a challenge from Republican Chris Brown. Brouk has represented the district, which covers most of the eastern side of Monroe County and the city of Rochester, since first winning election in 2020.

In the 56th District, which includes the western and southern half of Monroe County, Jeremy Cooney appeared headed to another term, garnering 67% of the vote with two-thirds counted. He was opposed by GOP hopeful Orlando Rivera.

Pamela Helming, the Republican representing the state Senate’s 54^th District, held onto her seat, with 58% of the vote versus 41% for Democrat Michael Mills.

State Assembly

As of 11:30 p.m., AP had not called the local Assembly races, but it showed incumbent Democrats holding their seats.

In District 135, Jen Lunsford had 64% of the vote compared with 36% for Republican Kalinda Washington. In District 136, Sarah Clark had 74% versus 26% for GOP challenger Clianda Florence. And in District 138, Harry Bronson received 68%; Republican Tracy DiFlorio had 32%.

In the closely watched 137th District, where Demond Meeks was challenged by Republican Dave Ferris and Mercedes Vazquez-Simmons, the incumbent appeared to easily prevail with 73% of the vote; Ferris received 23% and Vazquez-Simmons had 4%.

In the 130^th District, a Republican stronghold that spans Wayne County and Webster, Republican George Dobbins had 55% of the vote, compared with 40% for Democrat Carl Fitzsimmons and 3% for Joseph Lamanna, who ran on the Common Sense line.

Paul Ericson is Rochester Beacon executive editor. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters page should be sent to [email protected].