Kathy Hochul fends off Bruce Blakeman in New York governor’s race

Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat whose centrist, grassroots approach helped her build relationships with leaders as disparate as President Trump and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, won a second full term as governor of New York on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.

Ms. Hochul, the state’s first female governor, defeated Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican who is a longtime friend of Mr. Trump. Their alliance proved to bode well for Ms. Hochul, a Buffalo native who has spent months criticizing her opponent for supporting Trump administration policies.

But Ms. Hochul, 68, has also demonstrated an ability to work with the president, despite their deep differences. She worked with the Trump administration on new energy projects, including restarting several stalled natural gas pipeline projects, and sought to influence the administration’s immigration enforcement in the state.

At the same time, the governor has fought the Trump administration’s efforts to end the congestion pricing program, which is poised to raise $15 billion for transit improvements by charging vehicles to enter Manhattan’s business district.

At one point, Mr. Trump posted on social media: “THE PRICE OF CONGESTION IS DEAD. Manhattan and all of New York are SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” In response, Ms Hochul said: “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king. We will see you again in court.” (New York ultimately won its case in court, and the toll remained in effect.)

The Associated Press called the race just as voting closed at 9 p.m., prompting applause in the ballroom of New York’s Hilton Midtown, where Ms. Hochul was hosting an election party with top state Democratic officials.