New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has defeated Democratic primary challenger Cynthia Nixon to win his party’s nomination for a third term.

Cuomo had far greater financial resources going into the matchup, and polls suggested he held a commanding lead before Thursday’s primary.

Nixon, a liberal activist and former actress, had hoped to become the latest progressive challenger to unseat a powerful insider.

Cuomo’s campaign dismissed her as inexperienced and touted the governor’s work to push back against President Donald Trump.

His victory comes despite several missteps, including a widely condemned mailer that questioned Nixon’s support for Jewish people.

Cuomo will face Republican Marc Molinaro and independent Stephanie Miner in November’s general election.

SIMCHA FELDER:

Brooklyn State Senator Simcha Felder is projected to defeat liberal challenger Blake Morris by a wide margin.

Felder, a Democrat, has been the target of a furious campaign by leaders of his own party as he caucuses with Republicans and allows them to maintain a narrow lead in the Senate.

Senator Felder just issued the following statement to YWN:

“The people have spoken loud and perfectly clear, they are voting on the issues that matter to them – safety and security, quality of life and education. I thank everyone in the 17th Senate District for coming out to vote today; your confidence and support are truly humbling. I will continue serving you and all New Yorkers faithfully.”

JULIA SALAZAR:

Democratic socialist Julia Salazar has overcome scrutiny of her personal life and questions about truthfulness to win the Democratic primary for a state Senate seat in Brooklyn.

The 27-year-old first-time candidate defeated state Sen. Martin Dilan on Thursday in New York’s 18th Senate District.

Salazar joins the ranks of hard-left candidates who have ousted mainstream Democrats.

Salazar’s grassroots campaign targeted Dilan for failing to do enough to help the poor or stop gentrification in Brooklyn.

But recently, she faced criticism for how she described her life story.

Among other things, she said she was an immigrant when she was born in Florida. She also claimed she was Jewish and flip-flopped on support for Israel.

Reporters also revealed she was once accused of attempted bank fraud by the ex-wife of baseball great Keith Hernandez.

There is no Republican candidate in the general election.

ATTORNEY GENERAL:

New York City Public Advocate Letitia James has won a four-way Democratic primary for attorney general in New York. The race was a competition over who could best use the office to antagonize President Donald Trump.

James would become the first black woman to hold statewide elected office in New York if she prevails in the general election.

The 59-year-old was an early favorite in the race after getting endorsements from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other top Democrats.

But the race tightened over the summer. James edged U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, law professor Zephyr Teachout and ex-Hillary Clinton adviser Leecia Eve.

James faces a little-known New York City attorney, Republican Keith Wofford, in November.

Democrat Eric Schneiderman resigned as attorney general in May amid allegations he physically abused women.

IDC SENATORS DEFEATED:

Five of eight state senators who were part of a Democratic splinter group that helped Republicans keep control of New York’s Senate for years have been defeated.

Each of the eight faced primary challengers who criticized them for their membership in the Independent Democratic Conference. The IDC reunified with Democrats earlier this year.

The split allowed Republican leaders to keep bills on gun control and abortion from coming to a vote.

– Alessandra Biaggi, an attorney who worked for Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Hillary Clinton, defeated Bronx Sen. Jeff Klein on Thursday in the Democratic primary for the 34th state Senate district.

Biaggi challenged Klein, saying more progressive leaders were needed in office.

Klein formerly led the IDC, but became the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat when they reunified with the party.

– Zellnor Myrie defeated state Sen. Jesse Hamilton on Thursday in the Democratic primary for the 20th state Senate district. The district includes a number of Brooklyn neighborhoods, including Crown Heights, Park Slope and Sunset Park.

There is no Republican candidate in the general election on Nov. 6.

– Former New York City councilman Robert Jackson beat incumbent first-term state Senator Marisol Alcantara, who was elected to the 31st Senate District seat in 2016. The district includes parts of Manhattan and the Bronx.

– Former New York City Comptroller John Liu defeated incumbent Sen. Tony Avella in the Democratic primary for the 11th state Senate district.

Liu’s victory Thursday came two years after he lost to Avella in a previous primary campaign for Senate. In both campaigns, Liu attacked Avella over his participation in the Senate’s IDC.

– Jessica Ramos, a community organizer and former aide to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, beat incumbent Sen. Jose Peralta in the 13th state Senate district in Queens. Peralta has been part of state government since 2002.

– Rachel May, a teacher and first-time candidate, beat longtime incumbent state Sen. David Valesky in Thursday’s primary for the 53rd state Senate district. The district covers the part of the state that includes the Syracuse area.

May campaigned by saying she would be a “true champion for Democratic priorities.”

LT. GOVERNOR:

Incumbent Kathy Hochul (HOH’-kuhl) has defeated Jumaane (joo-MAH’-nee) Williams in the New York Democratic primary for lieutenant governor.

Hochul, a former congresswoman from Buffalo, now moves on to the November general election as the running mate of Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who first picked her to run beside him in the 2014 election.

Polls gave her a big advantage going into Thursday’s primary.

Hochul spent much of the campaign touting the Cuomo administration’s achievements while Williams, a New York City councilman, promised to serve as a check on Cuomo if elected.

Under New York law, candidates for lieutenant governor and governor run separately during the primary but as a single ticket in the general election.

Julie Killian is the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor and will run alongside Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Molinaro.

(AP / YWN)