New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has defeated Democratic primary challenger Cynthia Nixon to win his party's nomination for a third term.

Cuomo had far greater financial resources going into the matchup Thursday - and polls suggested he held a commanding lead.

He beat the Sex And The City actress by 30 percentage points, with Nixon getting 34.4 per cent and Cuomo receiving 65.6 per cent of the vote.

Nixon, an activist and former 'Sex and the City' star, had hoped to become the latest liberal challenger to unseat a powerful insider.

Cuomo's campaign dismissed her as inexperienced and touted the governor's work to push back against President Donald Trump.

His victory comes despite several missteps - including a widely condemned mailer that questioned Nixon's support for Jewish people. Nixon, however, has two Jewish children and called the attack 'sleazy.'

Cuomo will now face Republican Marc Molinaro and independent Stephanie Miner in November's general election.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo defeated Democratic primary challenger Cynthia Nixon Thursday

New York Governor Cuomo is kissed by his girlfriend Sandra Lee after voting in the New York Democratic primary election at the Presbyterian Church in Mount Kisco, New York on Thursday

Cuomo is accompanied by his girlfriend Sandra Lee as he puts his primary election ballot in a scanner in Mount Kisco

Nixon took to Twitter Thursday evening to thank her followers for their support along the journey.

'I want to thank all of the #TeamCynthia volunteers, supporters, and voters who dedicated their time to championing the progressive message of our campaign.

I'm so proud of all the work we've done to build a New York that works for all of us. #CynthiaForNY,' Nixon wrote.

Cuomo was a no-show at his own election night victory party. He instead celebrated his win over Nixon at the governor’s mansion in Albany.

It’s a highly unusual move for a winning candidate, though Cuomo has kept up a busy schedule in the final days of the campaign with rallies across the state.

Nixon held her own election night event in Brooklyn.

During her concession speech, Nixon said she called to congratulate Governor Cuomo on his victory in their hard-fought Democratic primary.

The longtime political activist thanked her supporters at the primary night party. She said the 'blue wave is real' and is coming for Republicans and 'Democrats who act like them.'

Her campaign reflects an insurgent movement of liberals challenging establishment incumbents, she said.

She noted that while many people dismissed her challenge, Cuomo took her seriously, as evidenced by the millions he spent on his campaign.

Nixon also said she and her supporters helped push Cuomo to the left on several issues, such as the legalization of marijuana.

Furthermore, she claimed credit for putting pressure on Cuomo to address New York City’s beleaguered subways.

New York Democratic primary candidate Nixon makes a concession speech at a Brooklyn restaurant on September 13, 2018 in New York City

Nixon speaks to supporters and attendees after conceding the primary at Cafe Omar in the Brooklyn borough of New York City late Thursday

Polling station officials direct New York gubernatorial candidate Nixon to her voting area for the primary, Thursday in New York

Nixon, right, and congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez greet voters and children outside of a school while campaigning in New York on Thursday

Nixon took to Twitter Thursday evening to thank everyone who supported her along the journey

Cuomo and Nixon made their final pitches earlier this afternoon as their closely watched and sometimes nasty Democratic primary contest came to a close.

The governor spoke to reporters after casting his own ballot in Westchester County on Thursday.

He said he is the most qualified candidate not only to govern, but also to push back against President Trump.

Cuomo appeared at a polling station in suburban Mount Kisco with his girlfriend, Sandra Lee.

Nixon, meanwhile, posed for photos with her supporters in Manhattan's Union Square before she voted at a community center.

Democratic primary voters on Thursday also choose candidates for attorney general and the state Legislature in the nation's final primary before Election Day.

New York City Public Advocate Letitia James won a four-way Democratic primary for attorney general in New York.

The race was a competition over who could best use the office to antagonize Trump.

James would become the first black woman to hold statewide elected office in New York if she prevails in the general election.

The 59-year-old was an early favorite in the race after getting endorsements from Cuomo and other top Democrats.

But the race tightened over the summer. James edged US Representative Sean Patrick Maloney, law professor Zephyr Teachout and ex-Hillary Clinton adviser Leecia Eve.

James faces a little-known New York City attorney, Republican Keith Wofford, in November.

Democrat Eric Schneiderman resigned as attorney general in May amid allegations he physically abused women.

Democratic socialist Julia Salazar overcame scrutiny of her personal life and questions about truthfulness to win the Democratic primary for a state Senate seat in Brooklyn.

The 27-year-old first-time candidate defeated state Sen. Martin Dilan on Thursday in New York’s 18th Senate District.

Salazar joins the ranks of hard-left candidates who have ousted mainstream Democrats.

Salazar’s grassroots campaign targeted Dilan for failing to do enough to help the poor or stop gentrification in Brooklyn.

But recently, she faced criticism for how she described her life story.

Among other things, she said she was an immigrant when she was born in Florida.

Reporters also revealed she was once accused of attempted bank fraud by the ex-wife of baseball great Keith Hernandez.

There is no Republican candidate in the general election.