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.

Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load.

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 22:45 · Kristin Hugo]

Tennis great Billie Jean King shared a selfie after casting her vote today. The legendary player was the first woman to win more than $100,000 in prize money in a single season, and has been an outspoken advocate for women's rights ever since.

"We voted! Did you?" she tweeted alongside her selfie on Thursday.

[13 September 2018 23:00 · Kristin Hugo]

As we draw closer to the end of the voting day, a reminder of less serious issues in this campaign: That time Cynthia Nixon ordered lox on a cinnamon raisin bagel.

Footage of the gubernatorial candidate ordering smoked salmon on a sweet bagel shocked the internet, with some threatening to revoke her New Yorker card. In the end, most recognised that celebrating differences – even differences in bagel orders – is part of what makes the city great.

[13 September 2018 23:14 · Lucy Anna Gray]

While we wait for the exit polls of today's elections, you can catch up on the latest with the impending Hurricane Florence as she nears the coastline:

[13 September 2018 23:29 · Lucy Anna Gray]

Democratic candidate for governor, Cynthia Nixon exits after voting in the New York State Democratic primary.

Credit: Reuters 

[13 September 2018 23:44 · Lucy Anna Gray]

Rapper Nicki Minaj endorsed incumbent current New York Governor Andrew Cuomo yesterday.

[13 September 2018 23:58 · Lucy Anna Gray]

Even a matter of months ago, the prospect of Miranda from 'Sex and the City' appearing on New York Democratic Primary ballot papers would have drawn a double-take from voters.

But, sure enough, actress Cynthia Nixon - famous the world over for her role as Ms Hobbes in the influential HBO comedy-drama - is challenging incumbent Andrew Cuomo for the party's nomination for state governor.

Read more here: 

[14 September 2018 00:10 · Steve Anderson]

The Independent caught up with Cynthia Nixon ahead of tonight's election outcome to see if she'd continue fighting for progressive causes in New York if the primaries weren't to end in her favour. 

Ms Nixon's response: "I'm not going anywhere." 

[14 September 2018 00:20 · Steve Anderson]

Numerous New York residents have reported issues with voting at their local polling sites during Thursday’s Democratic primary elections. The issue has impacted prominent voters, from Mayor Bill De Blasio’s son to the editor-in-chief of Huffington Post. 

Cynthia Nixon has posted throughout the day about helping voters encountering issues at their polling sites, directing constituents to a voter protection hotline. 

[14 September 2018 00:30 · Steve Anderson]

Regardless of the outcome, the Democratic primaries in New York have been marked by high voter turnout across the state. Residents reported local districts increasing their turnout from previous years within the first few hours of polling sites opening Thursday morning. 

[14 September 2018 00:40 · Steve Anderson]

New Yorkers have expressed a change in sentiment in their voting ideologies following the 2016 presidential election as part of a theory as to why voter turnout may be increasing in the 2018 midterm elections. 

One voter named Stephanie told Documented NY that the previous election was the "main difference," adding, “Some of decided not to go out there [in 2016], and we saw the result. Now, any vote matters."