Gillibrand, Hochul proud of senator’s win

Emotions were high and crowds cheered as U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was reelected for a third full term in the U.S. Senate at her watch party at Hotel Chelsea. With over 1.3 million votes, the senator defeated retired New York City Police Department detective and Republican candidate Mike Sapraicone.

“We’re going to keep working on the economy, we’re going to make sure health care is more affordable,” Gillibrand said at her watch party. “Help families with child care and elder care like they desperately need and I will continue to fight for tax cuts for our middle-class families.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul was a featured guest at Gillibrand’s watch party, and she spoke highly of Gillibrand.

“She has been an extraordinary leader and I am so proud that New Yorkers saw that in this election,” Hochul said.

Having served in the U.S. Senate since 2009, Gillibrand in her victory speech named the Cyber Service Academy, gender equality and the Equal Rights Amendment as some of her accomplishments in the past year.

She also pushed for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to be the next House speaker and Vice President Kamala Harris to be the next president.

Gillibrand thanked her family and friends, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Hochul and New York voters for her victory.

“I want to thank everyone here and everyone who is watching the voters of New York, really are those who need to be thanked the most,” Gillibrand said. “This state has an extraordinary democracy. Our voters understand how important their voice is.”

Her reelection comes as Democrats attempt to take back control of the House. New York Democrats are trying to win enough battleground seats in New York to potentially shift control of the House.

Gillibrand said she was “optimistic” that the coordinated campaign will allow Democrats to win.

In her upcoming term, Gillibrand may campaign to become the next Democratic Senatorial Congressional Committee chair. She has campaigned for numerous Democratic senators and Democratic control of the House.