Andrew Cuomo Wins Third Term as New York Governor

Andrew Cuomo won a third term as New York’s governor against Republican Marc Molinaro in a race that was widely seen as a one-sided affair.

NY1 and Fox News projected Cuomo as the winner on Nov. 6 over his opponent, Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive.

As the New York Post noted, the general election campaign featured one debate and few public appearances from Cuomo, who had more money and name recognition over his opponent.

Cuomo said that he would serve out his term despite chatter about being a potential 2020 presidential candidate.

With the win, Cuomo is the 10th New York governor elected to a third term.

“Almost any elected official who has a one-in-one hundred shot at becoming president strongly considers taking it,” Democratic political strategist Evan Thies told the New York Post.

“[His] legacy will be based on infrastructure improvements,” said political consultant Hank Sheinkopf. “[But] he also will be under a lot of pressure to come up with a long term-plan to fix the New York City subway system and roads and bridges.”

Meanwhile, Democrat Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, of New York, defeated Republican challenger Chele Farley to win her re-election bid for the Senate, The Associated Press projected. Like Cuomo, Gillibrand was heavily favored to win.