Election 2018 Results: Andrew Cuomo wins 3rd term as New York governor
NEW YORK (WABC) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo won a third term Tuesday, beating Republican Marc Molinaro as the Democrats took control of the state Senate for the first time in years.
The Democrat was seen from the start as the prohibitive favorite in the race, with big advantages in fundraising and name recognition.
Cuomo worked throughout the campaign to link Molinaro to President Donald Trump, who is unpopular with many New Yorkers. Cuomo also touted his administration's work rebuilding airports and bridges and boosting the upstate economy.
The victory gives Cuomo the same number of terms as his father, the late Gov. Mario Cuomo. Andrew Cuomo is the 10th New York governor elected to a third term.
Cuomo has been talked about as a potential 2020 presidential candidate, but he had said he would serve out his entire term if re-elected.
Molinaro is the Dutchess County executive.
Meantime, Democrat Andrew Gounardes bested eight-time incumbent Republican State Senator Marty Golden in one of several big Democratic wins across the state.
Golden has yet to concede, with a spokesperson citing machine votes to be counted and thousands of absentee ballots that will not be recorded until next week, but that didn't stop the 33-year-old Bay Ridge native from claiming victory and thanking supporters.
"We really focused on trying to solve the every day quality-of-life problems that people face here and prove the direct link between that issue and what happens in Albany," Gounardes said. "And the failure of Albany to act is what's driving a lot of that frustration."
Gounardes admitted he learned a great deal following an election night loss to Golden back in 2012. Six years later, he says the times have changed.
On Long Island, Jim Gaughran defeated longtime Republican Carl Marcellino, while Republican Kemp Hannon lost to Democrat Kevin Thomas.
Democrats will hold roughly 40 of the 63 state Senate seats, which likely means some progressive priorities will gain traction -- including things like codifying Row v. Wade and increasing funding for the MTA.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
Election Results
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