It has now been 40 years since a Republican presidential candidate carried the state of New York.

Vice President Kamala Harris continued that Democratic streak on Tuesday, easily winning the Empire State’s 28 electoral votes.

However, her margin of victory is significantly lower than the recent past.

According to unofficial results from the Associated Press, with 96% of the estimated vote counted, Harris won New York with 55% of the vote to former President Donald Trump’s 45%, a margin of victory of just 11 points.

In contrast, four years ago, Joe Biden won the state by 23 points.

There are a few reasons why this is historic. One, it’s the worst statewide performance for a Democrat, in terms of vote margin, since Michael Dukakis in 1988. Trump is also the first Republican since George W. Bush in 2004 to get over 40% of the vote.

A big factor contributing to Harris’ weakness appears to be her underperformance in Democratic stronghold New York City, winning Queens with 62% of the vote when Biden won it by 72% four years ago, and winning the Bronx with 73% of the vote compared to Biden’s 84% in 2020. Trump also did substantially better on Long Island than his past campaigns.

Harris’ narrower victory comes two years after Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul won a full term of her own in the closest gubernatorial election in 28 years.

On the same ballot as Harris was U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who won reelection to a third full term, doing slightly better than Harris in winning 58% of the vote.

-

Facebook Twitter