Kathy Hochul has made history after becoming the first woman to be elected as New York Governor. The Democrat 64-year-old retains the office she assumed in August 2021 when her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo resigned.

Hochul defeated Republican congressman Lee Zeldin, an ally of ex-President Donald Trump. She told supporters shortly after her triumph and was declared winner, she tweeted on Wednesday saying;

“I’m not here to make history, I’m here to make a difference”,  “I may be New York’s first woman governor, but I know I won’t be the last”, 

Hochul won the Democratic primary in June, defeating U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi of Long Island and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

In May 2011, Hochul won a special election for New York’s 26th congressional district after the resignation of Chris Lee. The victory then made her the first Democrat to represent the district in 40 years.