By: Edwin Martínez  and CNN

(Buffalo, NY)  Late into the night amid  her supports in campaign headquarters, Kathy Hochul of Buffalo found herself accepting not only the cheers of victorious Democrats late Tuesday but also stepping into history as the first woman ever elected governor of New York.

Hochul headquarters erupted at 11:11 p.m. when the giant screen at Capital, a bank-turned-party venue in downtown Manhattan, declared victory over Republican challenger Lee Zeldin. Answering chants of “Kathy, Kathy, Kathy,” she and newly elected Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado took to the microphone to declare their own victory.

“Thank you, New York,” she declared to more “Kathy” chants. “Thank you to everyone in this room and across this state who made this moment possible.”

She especially thanked organized labor, the new “first gentleman,” her husband, Bill, and mentioned her late mother “who inspired me to public service.”

In other Statewide local races in the Buffalo area Kearns wins re-election as Erie County clerk against Eden town supervisor. Thomas P. DiNapoli wins reelection as New York State Comptroller and Letitia A. James wins reelection as New York state Attorney General. In local New York State Senate and US Senate races Sean Ryan wins reelection and Charles E. Schumer win reelection to the US Senate.  Jonathan D. Rivera wins reelection to the New York State Assembly. In the local Buffalo School race for the west district Jennifer Mecozzi win reelection.

The battle for Control of Congress is still undetermined

The battle for control of Congress – both the House and the Senate – is coming down to a dwindling number of key races, with Democrats dashing Republicans’ hopes for a red wave and both parties hanging onto hopes of winning narrow majorities.

Republicans began the night with a rout in Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis won heavily Latino, historically Democratic regions on his way to a blowout victory that could serve as a launch pad for a 2024 presidential run. 

But in the hours that have followed, Democrats have fought back. In Pennsylvania, Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman defeated Republican Mehmet Oz for the seat of retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey. 

Meanwhile, the battle for the House majority – one that favored Republicans, who expected to benefit from high inflation, historical trends and friendly new district lines after 2021’s redistricting – remains unsettled.