New York Primary results: Letitia James wins Democrat race for attorney general after Andrew Cuomo takes governor race against Cynthia Nixon

The wave of progressive newcomers threaten to shake up Albany establishment, with Letitia James and Julia Salazar securing seats in New York's Democratic primaries

Cynthia Nixon wants to legalise marijuana in New York

Andrew Cuomo has won the Democrat primary for New York governor, defeating challenger Cynthia Nixon after a highly anticipated election.

Mr Cuomo's win has not come as a surprise, with far greater financial resources going into the race, and polls suggesting he held a strong lead before voting began.

His challenger, Ms Nixon, an activist and star of Sex and the City, had hoped to become the latest liberal challenger to unseat a powerful insider in Albany's Democratic establishment. The night did award some progressive candidates, however, including a State Senate seat for first-time Latina candidate, 27-year-old Julia Salazar, as well as Letitia James, New York's public advocate, who will now serve as the state attorney general.

Mr Cuomo's campaign dismissed Ms Nixon 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 Ms Nixon's support for Jewish people. She has two Jewish children and called the attack “sleazy.”

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

Ms Nixon endorsed several progressive candidates vying for positions in Thursday’s election, including Zephyr Teachout, who ran against Ms James for state attorney general, as well as Jumaane Williams, who ran for lieutenant governor.

The Democratic Party’s primaries took most of the state's media focus for the day, with just one Republican vying for the governor’s seat. Marc Molinaro, a Dutchess County executive and former member of the New York State Assembly, has also criticised the two-term Democratic incumbent over his handling of the city’s subway system and other major issues.

Follow along with The Independent’s live updates throughout the night, as New Yorkers decide the outcome of the crucial 2018 primaries.

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Key Points

• New Yorkers handed an overwhelming victory to Andrew Cuomo for a third-term as the state;s governor

• Some voters reported issues at the polls, saying they are registered but do not appear on voter rolls

• The Democratic primary featured one of the most diverse lineups of candidates in recent state history

• Candidates shared photos of themselves and their families voting

[13 September 2018 15:09 · Steve Anderson]

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the New York primary elections.

[13 September 2018 15:11 · Steve Anderson]

Today's biggest race is between two-term incumbent Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo and Cynthia Nixon, the actress and progressive activist who is a first-time candidate in the state.

[13 September 2018 15:16 · Steve Anderson]

We spoke to Cynthia Nixon just before the contentious election, and she said that, whatever happens today, it is not the end of her political career.

[13 September 2018 15:33 · Steve Anderson]

Andrew Cuomo has been forced to battle back the wave of progressive newcomers throughout his re-election campaign, maintaining a lead on Cynthia Nixon in the polls despite numerous Democratic candidates attacking his tenure as governor of New York. 

He’s positioned himself as a leader of the Resistance movement among Democrats, vowing to protect the state’s immigrant populations and going head-to-head with the president on several occasions. 

[13 September 2018 15:42 · Steve Anderson]

Cynthia Nixon has cast her ballot, writing on Twitter, "Just cast my ballot for a New York that works for all of us."

[13 September 2018 15:52 · Steve Anderson]

Cynthia Nixon and Andrew Cuomo aren’t the only candidates facing contentious elections in the Thursday primaries. 

The state’s race for attorney general is an essential toss-up between Rep. Sean Maloney, New York City public advocate Letitia James and Zephyr Teachout, a law professor endorsed by Bernie Sanders, according to polling data. Leecia Eve, a former Hillary Clinton aide, has trailed the other three candidates. 

[13 September 2018 16:01 · Steve Anderson]

The New York Democratic primaries have seen a wave of candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, as certain progressives have increasingly welcomed the label of being a Democratic Socialist, including Cynthia Nixon. 

Julia Salazar, a 27-year-old first-time Latina candidate who also considers herself a Democratic Socialist, is vying for a seat in the State Senate in a race against a longtime incumbent, while Jumaane Williams, who has been endorsed by the DSA, is running for state lieutenant governor. 

[13 September 2018 16:08 · Steve Anderson]

Meanwhile, Republican candidate Marc Molinaro has been tweeting that he’s within “striking distance” of Andrew Cuomo to become the state’s next governor, citing a New York State Reform Party poll. 

He won’t have to compete in Thursday’s primaries, however, writing on Twitter, "Just a quick reminder that tomorrow is the Democratic Primary for Statewide offices. I do not have a primary opponent and am honored to be the Republican, Conservative, and Reform Parties Candidate for Governor.”

[13 September 2018 16:14 · Steve Anderson]

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As voters flock to the polls in New York, read about how Cynthia Nixon first became involved in politics — and what she’s fighting for as Andrew Cuomo’s progressive challenger. 

[13 September 2018 16:38 · Steve Anderson]

Candidates are making their way to the polls, and encouraging their constituents to do the same.

Tish James, who is running to become the state’s next attorney general, posted photos on Twitter of herself voting and greeting voters Thursday. “Proud to speak truth to power today & exercise my most basic right to vote,” she wrote in a tweet. “To all New Yorkers: I hope you join me today and make your voice and your values heard."