🌊 2026 ELECTION RECAP: Major Political Shakeup Across Rockland County

Yisroel R.

A major Democratic blue wave swept across the country last night, extending through New York and Rockland County, where voters delivered significant political changes in several closely watched races. Following a strong early voting turnout, residents headed to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots in statewide, congressional, state legislative, and local elections, with several Republican incumbents losing their seats to Democratic challengers.

Among the biggest developments were the defeat of Republican Congressman Mike Lawler, the loss of State Senator Bill Weber’s seat to Democratic challenger Joe Rand, and a major change in Clarkstown, where longtime Republican Supervisor George Hoehmann was voted out of office.

Here is a breakdown of the election results as of Wednesday morning, November 4, based on the latest available vote counts. According to the New York State Board of Elections’ 9:42 a.m. update, with approximately 90% of the votes, with results remaining unofficial until they are certified.

Statewide Election Results

Governor: Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul won reelection against Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman, receiving 59.13% versus 39.66%, with 3,487,762 votes to 2,339,265 votes.

Attorney General: Democratic Attorney General Letitia James secured another term, defeating Republican Saritha Komatireddy with 58.86% versus 38.89%, receiving 3,470,333 votes to 2,292,938 votes.

State Comptroller: Democratic Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli won reelection against Republican Joseph Hernandez, receiving 62.79% versus 34.40%, with 3,701,631 votes to 2,027,847 votes.

Congressional and State Legislative Results

The Democratic gains extended into Rockland County, where two of the most closely watched races resulted in Republican incumbents losing their seats. The results will bring new representation to Monsey in both Washington and Albany, while several incumbent Assembly members secured additional terms.

17th Congressional District: Democrat Cait Conley defeated Republican Congressman Mike Lawler, receiving 51.78% versus 47.37%, with 133,219 votes to 121,881 votes. The victory ends Lawler’s tenure in Congress after two terms and flips the seat back to Democratic control.

38th State Senate District: In another major upset, Democrat Joe Rand, currently the Mayor of Nyack, defeated Republican incumbent Bill Weber, receiving 52.44% versus 44.48%, with 61,610 votes to 52,258 votes. Rand’s victory returns the district to Democratic representation after Weber held the seat for four years.

97th Assembly District: Democratic Assemblyman Aron Wieder secured reelection to a second term, receiving 56.72% and 25,863 votes. Republican Rob Bonomolo received 34.74% and 15,841 votes, while Conservative candidate Abraham Klein received 2.22% and 1,010 votes.

96th Assembly District: Democratic Assemblyman Patrick Carroll won reelection against Republican Brett Yagel, receiving 63.80% versus 32.80%, with 34,172 votes to 17,568 votes.

98th Assembly District: Republican Assemblyman Karl Brabenec secured another term after running unopposed, receiving 29,451 votes on the Republican and Conservative ballot lines.

99th Assembly District: Democratic Assemblyman Chris Eachus defeated Republican Richard Vargus, receiving 62.67% versus 34.55%, with 24,287 votes to 13,388 votes.

Town Election Results Across Rockland County

While several major races resulted in changes of leadership, voters in Ramapo, Haverstraw, and other towns in Rockland County returned their incumbent supervisors to office, with most running without opposition.

Ramapo: Democratic Town Supervisor Michael Specht and Highway Superintendent Fred Brinn both secured reelection after running unopposed, continuing their leadership of the Town of Ramapo. Specht received 95.48% of the vote, with 30,006 votes, while Brinn received 98.19%, with 23,993 votes.

Haverstraw: Democratic Town Supervisor Howard Phillips won another term after running unopposed.

Orangetown: Republican Town Supervisor Teresa Kenny secured reelection without opposition.

Stony Point: Republican Town Supervisor Amy Conklin also won reelection after running unopposed.

Major Democratic Shakeup in Clarkstown!

One of the night’s most significant local developments came in Clarkstown, where Democrats swept all seven seats up for election, and celebrated victories across the town government, including the defeat of longtime Republican Supervisor George Hoehmann.

The supervisor race was a rematch between Hoehmann and Democratic challenger Eugene Bondar, who emerged victorious after a closely watched campaign, bringing an end to Hoehmann’s 10 years leading the town.

Clarkstown Supervisor: Democrat Eugene Bondar defeated Republican George Hoehmann, receiving 54.39% versus 45.51%, with 19,885 votes to 16,636 votes.

Clarkstown Highway Superintendent: Democrat Robert Milone defeated Republican Robert Sambevski, receiving 57.61% versus 42.26%, with 20,809 votes to 15,267 votes.

Clarkstown Town Council: Democrats also declared victory in all four Town Council wards. Joseph Damiani, Sylke Jackson, Susan Bloom, and Gina DeFelice were part of the Democratic slate, which reported defeating Republican incumbents across the town’s four wards.

Clarkstown Town Clerk: Democrat Gregory Sheehan was also part of the Democratic slate that declared victory, defeating Republican incumbent Lauren Marie Wohl according to reported election-night results.

The election results mark a significant shift in Rockland County’s political landscape, with new leadership preparing to take office in Washington, Albany, and Clarkstown, while several longtime incumbents elsewhere in the county will continue serving their communities.

All results remain unofficial until the remaining ballots are counted and the elections are entirely certified.