- Gov. Andrew Cuomo defeated Cynthia Nixon in Thursday’s New York Democratic primary, setting him up for a third term in office.
- Nixon’s unapologetically progressive campaign garnered much media attention, though polls suggested Cuomo held a commanding lead before Thursday.
- Cuomo is now set to face Republican Marc Molinaro and the independent Stephanie Miner in November’s general election.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York has defeated his Democratic primary challenger Cynthia Nixon to win his party’s nomination for a third term.
Cuomo had far greater financial resources, and polls suggested he held a commanding lead before Thursday’s primary.
Nixon, an activist who previously starred on “Sex and the City,” had hoped to become the latest liberal challenger to unseat a powerful insider. Her unapologetically progressive campaign garnered much media attention.
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. Nixon has two Jewish children and called the attack "sleazy."
Cuomo is now set to face Republican Marc Molinaro and the independent Stephanie Miner in November's general election.
Both Cuomo and Nixon had several high-profile endorsements before the vote. The actress Amy Schumer and the rapper Nicki Minaj announced their Cuomo endorsements this week. The rapper Cardi B stepped up to endorse Nixon.
Schumer, who is the cousin of Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer, later revealed on Instagram that she changed her mind and voted for Nixon.