NY Governor Election Results 2026: Hochul Vs. Blakeman [Live Updates]

Update, 9:13 p.m.: Moments after the polls closed, Kathy Hochul was named the projected winner in the race for governor of New York, with the Associated Press, NBC and CBS calling the race.

As of 10 p.m. Hochul had 2,439,708 votes to Blakeman's 1,254,940 or 65.28 percent to 33.58 percent, with 6,883 of 13,187 districts reporting, according to unofficial results by the New York State Board of Elections.

Days before the race, Hochul had a double-digit lead over Blakeman, according to a new poll.

A recent poll of likely voters by the Siena Research Institute at Siena University indicated that Hochul had widened her lead over Blakeman, 54 percent to 40 percent, up from 50 percent to 41 percent in September, according to data released on October 28.

Blakeman wrote on Instagram at 9 p.m.: "Polls are closed! Thank you to every New Yorker who stood with me. I'm grateful for your incredible support!"

Hochul was slated to win a second full-term; she first took office in 2021 after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned amidst a string of sexual harassment accusations.

As of 10 p.m. Hochul had 2,439,708 votes to Blakeman's 1,254,940 or 65.28 percent to 33.58 percent, with 6,883 of 13,187 districts reporting.

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After a heated election season, the votes are in and residents have cast their ballots for the governor of New York.

As of last week, incumbent Gov.Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, had a double digit lead in the polls over her opponent, GOP candidate and current Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

The pair sparred during a single debate, facing off over issues including ICE, affordability, data centers and tariffs, with Hochul blasting Blakeman's alliance with Donald Trump — and Blakeman countering that he is not aligned with all of the president's policies.

Blakeman has discussed his reasons for running for governor, stating that he's long been focused on safer communities.

He made in Nassau County when pitching a plan to deputize citizens.

At the debate, he said: "As I travel across the state, and it's a beautiful state, everywhere I go, people are telling me how they're struggling — struggling to pay their bills — and they're worried about safety in their communities. Under Governor Hochul, we are the highest taxed state in America. Our utility bills are 70 percent higher than the national average, and because of policies like cashless bail, people feel unsafe in their own communities."

He added: "As governor, I will cut taxes, I will cut your utility bills in half, and I will create safer communities just like I did in my own county in Nassau County."

Blakeman then blasted Hochul, stating that she'd spent "$8 billion of your money on illegal migrants for free food, free housing, free transportation, and a free cell phone. That's your money that she spent on people who aren't New Yorkers. I believe she's got her priorities upside down. "

Hochul has always pointed to her deep roots in New York. "My parents started married life in a trailer park near the Bethlehem steel plant. I used to work long hours after school every day to raise money for college at a pizzeria. You know, I never forgot where I came from, and the struggles, and that's why as governor, I have been laser focused on affordability, and your family's safety."

She added: "And that's why we've delivered the largest middle class tax rate cut in 70 years."

That's why, she said, she has been focused on energy rebates and inflation rebates, "to help people pay their bills."

And, she said, "New York State now has the lowest crime rates it's had in modern history."

Hochul fired back at Blakeman: "He says that he's going to bring Trump style leadership to Albany. He says he's going to cut Medicaid in half. And he's going to let ICE run rampant in our streets. So this is your choice, New Yorkers. I'm not letting this happen. Working together with you, we will not, because your family is my fight. "

Kathy Hochul is the 57th and first female Governor of New York State, her website states.

She said that she began her career in public service on her local town noard, before serving as Erie County Clerk and as a Member of Congress for New York’s 26th Congressional District.

As Lieutenant Governor, Hochul said she chaired the statewide Regional Economic Development Councils, and served as co-chair of the State’s Heroin and Opioid Task Force, Women’s Suffrage Commission, and Child Care Availability Task Force.

Since being sworn into office in 2021, Hochul said she "has led by establishing a bold vision for New York’s future," spearheading "comprehensive policies and initiatives to help New Yorkers and their families, while building an economy that is stronger and more inclusive than before."

Hochul also said she is "making historic investments in the people, places, and things to make that happen — from healthcare workers, small businesses, and working families to infrastructure, education, and workforce development. And in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s reckless decisions to strip away abortion rights and strike down commonsense gun regulations," Hochul said she "led the charge in Albany to protect reproductive health care and strengthen gun safety laws, ensuring New York continues to stand as a beacon of hope and freedom for the rest of the nation."

Hochul was born and raised in western New York. She and her husband, Bill Hochul, are the parents of two children and two granddaughters.

Blakeman, on his website, said he is a "lifelong New Yorker, a father, husband, and public servant who knows how to lead, and win."

As Nassau County Executive, he said, he was re-elected in 2025 "by 12 points in a Democrat-leaning county by doing what Albany won’t: keeping communities safe, cutting taxes, and putting common sense first."

Blakeman said he "fought sanctuary policies, rejected mask mandates, stopped boys from playing in girls sports, and made Nassau the safest county in America while hiring hundreds of new police officers. A 9/11 Port Authority Commissioner and two-term county executive," Blakeman said he "has led through crisis and delivered results. He’s built the blueprint to beat Kathy Hochul, and he’s ready to put New York first."

Blakeman said he has "delivered real results in Nassau County, making it safer, cutting taxes, and pushing back against Albany mandates."

He said he was running for governor to bring that leadership to the entire state "and put New Yorkers first."

Blakeman has said he turned Nassau County into the safest in the nation.

At the debate, Hochul told Blakeman that designation was earned under former Nassau County Executive Laura Curran in 2021, before he took office.

Blakeman also said he "said 'no' to Kathy Hochul's sanctuary policies and worked with ICE to take criminals off our streets." He said he hired 900-plus police and law enforcement officers.

He also said he " eliminated $150 million in property tax hikes scheduled by his predecessor." As county executive Blakeman said he didn’t raise property or sales taxes "by a single penny" and said as governor, he would "deliver real relief to homeowners and renters."

Before the debate, candidates weighed in on the issues.

"From expanding child care and lowering costs to making our communities safer, my focus has always been on delivering real results for New Yorkers," Hochul said on X. "I'm proud of the progress we've made together but there’s more work to do. I'm ready to keep fighting for New York families."

Blakeman also spoke out on social media, stating on Facebook that, at the debate: "I’ll hold Kathy Hochul accountable for her failures. Lower taxes. Lower utility bills. Safer streets. That’s what I’m fighting for."

Hochul has also questioned Blakeman's ties to President Donald Trump, who has said, "Bruce is MAGA all the way."

Hochul said on YouTube: "Like a good puppet, my opponent Bruce Blakeman follows Trump’s MAGA playbook. He’s willing to deceive voters. And he doesn’t care about hurting New York families. New Yorkers deserve better."

Blakeman has blasted Hochul: "Kathy Hochul is the worst Governor in America. New Yorkers are tired of her tax hikes, rising costs, and failed leadership.As Governor, I will put New Yorkers first and make New York affordable."