Democrats Win Both Houses, Hochul Defeats Blakeman

After record Anash turnout in Crown Heights and across New York, Democrats won control of both houses of Congress on Tuesday in a highly contested and closely watched election with high stakes for both parties. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul secured another term.

A Democratic blue wave swept across the country as the party won in traditionally Republican states such as Kansas and Texas, as well as in competitive districts and statewide races, while making substantial gains in governorships and state legislatures. Democrats flipped seven Senate seats and more than 25 House seats.

Democrats will now control the legislative agenda, chair congressional committees, launch investigations, and have greater say over legislation, federal spending and presidential nominations during President Donald Trump‘s final two years in office. Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries is positioned to become Speaker of the House, while current House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that he will not run for Republican minority leader in the next Congress.

In New York, Hochul, who became governor in 2021, defeated Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, according to Associated Press projections. She will be inaugurated for her second full term on January 1, 2027, together with Lieutenant Governor-elect Adrienne Adams.

Attorney General Letitia James won a third term, while in the comptroller’s race, no projected winner has been confirmed as of yet.

In Brooklyn, Jeffries won reelection in the 8th Congressional District, and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke secured another term in the 9th District, which includes Crown Heights. Former NYC Comptroller Brad Lander was elected in the 10th District.

One of the most closely watched races was NY-17, which includes Rockland County, home to one of the largest frum communities, where Republican Congressman Mike Lawler conceded to Democrat Cait Conley, although no winner has been formally projected yet.

At the same time, a historic milestone was reached for frum community representation in Albany, as a minyan of ten frum legislators won seats in the New York State Legislature, including seven incumbents and three newcomers.

Returning to the Assembly are Simcha Eichenstein, Kalman Yeger (Brooklyn), Sam Berger, David Weprin (Queens), Aron Wieder (Rockland County), and Ari Brown (Nassau County). State Senator Sam Sutton (Brooklyn) retained his seat. Joining them are Assembly members Joey Cohen Saban (Brooklyn) and Pesach Osina (Queens), and newly elected State Senator Lisa Vider (Nassau County).

In Michigan, pro-Hamas and anti-Israel Dr. Abdul El-Sayed won the U.S. Senate race against Republican Mike Rogers, becoming the country’s first Muslim senator. His victory was celebrated with chants of “Free Palestine,” a development being noted with concern among Jewish communities around the country.

Several results are still pending, and final tallies could shift as counting continues.