Election Day in New York: Progressive Democrats suffer defeats heading into 2022 races

ALBANY - Three ballot referendums on redistricting and voting reform sought by Democrats were handedly rejected. Moderate Democrats won the mayor's seats in the state's two largest cities, and Republicans rolled on Long Island.

In all, Election Day on Tuesday for local seats was largely not a positive night for Democrats in New York, particularly the left flank of the party, after having extraordinary gains across the state in recent years.

"From big pickups in key areas & success of Just Say No tour on ballot props, tonight shaping up to be very good night for the @NewYorkGOP," state Republican Committee spokeswoman Jessica Proud wrote on Twitter.

The results will be heavily analyzed ahead of the critical 2022 races, when all statewide seats — including the governor's race — will be on the ballot, along with all congressional seats and state legislative seats.

And the results mirrored the outcomes in neighboring states and nationally amid low approval ratings for Democratic President Joe Biden in his first year.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, was in a surprising dead heat against Republican Jack Ciattarelli for a second term, and Glenn Youngkin, the Republican gubernatorial candidate in Virginia, appeared poised for victory over Democrat Terry McAuliffe, a Syracuse native, in the nation's two gubernatorial contests.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown is expected to pull off what initially appeared to be an unlikely bid to win a write-in campaign to retain the seat he's held since 2006, beating back India Walton, a democratic socialist who beat him in the spring primary.

"At the very beginning, they said we couldn't win, it was impossible to win as a write-in," Brown said in his victory speech. "But you know, you can't ever count a Buffalonian out."

Eric Adams, the Brooklyn borough president, was officially elected New York City mayor after defeating more liberal candidates in the primary and then Republican Curtis Silwa on Election Day.

"This is not about Eric Adams becoming mayor. This is about carving out a pathway so people could enjoy the prosperity that this city has to offer," he told supporters as he was joined by Gov. Kathy Hochul, who will be seeking her own full term in 2022.

Meanwhile, Republicans were poised to be successful in their bid to get voters to reject three ballot propositions sought by Democrats that would have changed voting and the drawing of district lines.

Proposal 1 would have made changes to the state's redistricting process, while proposal 3 would have paved the way for same-day voter registration and proposal 4 would have allowed for "no-excuse" absentee voting.

They seemed destined toward defeat, while two others — one on environmental rights and other on increasing the jurisdiction of the New York City Civil Court — easily passed.

Some Democrats were able to win re-election with ease. For example, Westchester County Executive George Latimer cruised to a second term.

But on Long Island, a key battleground for statewide races, Republicans appeared triumphant.

The GOP swept the district attorney races in Nassau and Suffolk counties, and were ahead in the Nassau County executive race where Republican Bruce Blakeman was ahead of incumbent Executive Laura Curran.

All of it serves as a backdrop to next year's governor's race, especially.

Hochul, long viewed as a moderate Democrat, will be seeking a full term after succeeding ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned amid scandal in August.

She will face a host of more left-leaning candidates, including Attorney General Letitia James and possibly New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio — who formed an exploratory committee this week.

"I'm really looking forward to getting into this bigger discussion about where the state is going," de Blasio said Monday night on NY1.

More: Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown declares victory over India Walton in contentious race

More: NY ballot proposals: Voters appear to reject voting reforms backed by Democrats

Joseph Spector is the Government and Politics Editor for the USA TODAY Network's Atlantic Group, overseeing coverage in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. He can be reached at JSPECTOR@Gannett.com or followed on Twitter: @GannettAlbany

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This article originally appeared on New York State Team: Progressive NY Democrats suffer defeats heading into 2022 races