Democratic New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand won re-election to a third full term Tuesday, easily defeating Republican challenger and retired NYPD detective Mike Sapraicone, according to unofficial results.
The Associated Press called the race as soon as polls closed in New York at 9 p.m.
“This state has an extraordinary democracy,” Gillibrand told more than 100 people at her election-night watch party at the Hotel Chelsea in Manhattan. “Our voters understand how important their voice is and how important their vote is. They were heard tonight.”
The race’s results made it “absolutely clear” New Yorkers want to put “people over politics,” she told the packed room of cheering supporters.
“I will always reach across the aisle to find common ground for common good,” Gillibrand said.
The Dem, 57, was first appointed to the Senate in 2009 by the governor at the time, David Paterson, after then-Sen. Hillary Clinton stepped down to become President Barack Obama’s secretary of state.
Democratic New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (right) was feted by Gov. Kathy Hochul and a slew of supporters after her win Tuesday. Stephen Yang
The Associated Press called the race for Gillibrand as soon as polls closed in New York at 9 p.m.
Gillibrand then won the election to complete Clinton’s term in 2010 and was re-elected again in 2016 and 2020.
The former upstate congresswoman shifted left on some policy issues such as gun control when she became senator.
The New York senator made a brief, unsuccessful bid for the presidency after her 2018 Senate re-election victory. Stephen Yang
Gillibrand celebrates with her family after winning re-election Tuesday. Stephen YangShe’s been a leading advocate against sexual harassment and sexual abuse of women in the military, too.
In 2017, she was the first Democratic senator to call for the resignation of then-Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota, who was accused of unwanted groping and kissing of women.
She also made headlines when she said then-President Bill Clinton, a former political backer, should have resigned over the Monica Lewinsky affair.
Gov. Kathy Hochul heralded the easy win for Gillibrand and the projected victory for Vice President Kamala Harris in the Empire State.
“The women have won,” Hohul told the crowd at the Chelsea.
Gillibrand made a brief, unsuccessful bid for the presidency after her 2018 Senate re-election victory.
Sapraicone, who has headed a security consulting firm, was making his first run for public office this year.
Republican challenger Mike Sapraicone was handily beaten, according to unofficial results. Tania Savayan/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesHe was vastly outspent by Gillibrand, whose campaign paid for pricey 30-second TV ads during the World Series games touting her legislative bills to help 9/11 first responders and veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.
A late October pre-election poll conducted by Siena College had Gillibrand leading Sapraicone 57% to 31%.
She will continue to serve alongside New York’s senior senator, Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who was first elected to the upper chamber in 1998 after serving as a Brooklyn congressman.
— Additional reporting by Matt Troutman
