Incumbent Democrats were projected to win two primary races for the state Assembly in the Hudson Valley on Tuesday.

The Associated Press late Tuesday projected progressive incumbent Sarahana Shrestha defeated challenger Gabi Madden in the 103rd Assembly District.

Shrestha was leading Gabi Madden by 2 to 1, while in the 106th Assembly District, 12-year incumbent Didi Barrett is the projected winner over Claire Cousin, the first Black woman elected to the Columbia County Board of Supervisors. 

Cousin conceded the race late Tuesday, trailing 57% to 43%.

Born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, Shrestha moved to the U.S. in 2001, and became naturalized as an American citizen in 2019.

Her first term focused on strengthening tenant protections and fighting rate hikes from utility companies. She ran for reelection for the first time since winning the seat in an upset two years ago, defeating longtime Assemblymember Kevin Cahill. 

Madden, who worked with Cahill and state Sen. James Skoufis, focused on pursing a public option for utilities and expanding accessory dwelling units availability.

She ran on a slogan of "Results Not Rhetoric," and was endorsed by Skoufis, Kingston Mayor Steve Noble, CSEA and others.   

The 103rd District covers much of northern Ulster County and parts of Dutchess County.

The winner of Tuesday's primary will face Republican Jack Hayes in the Nov. 5 general election.

The district contains 103,745 enrolled voters, including 48,884 Democrats, 19,182 Republicans and 29,262 independents, according to the state Board of Elections.

Barrett has held the 106th District seat in the state Legislature since being elected in a special election in March 2012. She had said the biggest issues facing the district involved economic and environmental sustainability.

Cousin said affordability, climate and housing justice were issues needing to be addressed in the district, which spans most of Columbia County and parts of northern Dutchess County.

There's no filed GOP candidate in the 106th District for November.

The district is home to 106,085 enrolled voters, including 41,474 Democrats, 27,014 Republicans and 30,030 independents, according to the state Board of Elections.

Only registered Democrats could vote in the two primary elections on Tuesday.