LIVEBLOG: Hochul defeats Blakeman; Halpin, Rothwell attend watch parties as polls close

9:05: Gov. Kathy Hochul was declared the winner over Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. The Associated Press called the race moments after polls closed at 9 p.m.

Mr. Blakeman’s campaign has said it’s too soon to call the race, according to News 12 Long Island.

Hochul, a Democrat and New York’s first female governor, took office in 2021 after Andrew Cuomo resigned and won her first full term in 2022.

8:45: About 15 minutes before polls closed, Ken Rothwell reflected on the last five months campaigning for Riverhead Town Supervisor. Just today, the Republican councilman said there were 70 volunteers making calls and knocking on doors, encouraging residents to go out and vote:

 “I think that we had a very good turnout tonight, I think we’re going to see very good numbers, and we’re very optimistic about how this is going to play out tonight. We put everything on the field,” he told Riverhead News-Review at the watch party at Stonewall’s. 

Instead of being in Patchogue with the other Suffolk GOP candidates, Mr. Rothwell said he wanted to be in a smaller, intimate setting, surrounded by local supporters, friends and family. 

“Tonight is really about just the very people that really put their heart and soul into helping me,” he said.

8:30: With about half an hour until polls close, Riverhead Town Supervisor Jerry Halpin is at The All Star, awaiting voters’ verdict on his bid for a full, two-year term.

“I feel really good about tonight. I’m thankful for everyone who knocked on doors,” Mr. Halpin said. “I’m so excited about the future of Riverhead.”

He faces Republican Councilman Ken Rothwell in the supervisor race.

“I think tonight’s going to be a great night,” Mr. Halpin said. “And either way, I’m always a winner because God loves me, my family loves me, and this town is amazing.”

Mr. Rothwell is at Stonewalls to watch the results.

Mr. Halpin, who is running on the Democratic and Taxpayers First lines, is seeking a full, two-year term after defeating incumbent Tim Hubbard by 37 votes last November.

Other key races on the ballot include the battle for governor between Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul and Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and Republican Rep. Nick LaLota against Democrat Chris Gallant in the 1st Congressional District.

Their contest is part of the national fight for control of the House. Republicans hold 218 seats, Democrats 214, with one independent and two vacancies, according to the House’s official party breakdown. All 435 seats are up for election, with 218 needed to secure a majority in the next Congress.

Closer to home, Republican state Sen. Anthony Palumbo is challenged by Democrat Chris Murray in the 1st Senate District.

Southold voters will choose between Democratic Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni and Republican Stephen Kiely in the 1st Assembly District. In Riverhead’s 2nd Assembly District, Republican Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio is challenged by Democrat Michael Szika and independent Kimberly Wilder, who is running on the Voter Options line.

Democrats control both chambers in Albany, holding a 103-47 Assembly majority and a 40-22 Senate majority, with one Senate vacancy, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. All 150 Assembly seats and 63 Senate seats are on the ballot.

Statewide, Democratic state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is challenged by Republican Joseph Hernandez, while Democratic Attorney General Letitia James faces Republican Saritha Komatireddy.

Democrat Jon Estreich and Republican Dan Losquadro are running for Suffolk County comptroller. Republican Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo faces a Democratic-backed write-in challenge from Cutchogue attorney Abigail Field, whose name does not appear on the printed ballot.

State Supreme Court, County Court and Family Court judges are also on the ballot.