Andrew Cuomo has won the Democrat primary for New York governor, defeating challenger Cynthia Nixon after a highly anticipated election.

Mr Cuomo's win has not come as a surprise, with far greater financial resources going into the race, and polls suggesting he held a strong lead before voting began.

His challenger, Ms Nixon, an activist and star of Sex and the City, had hoped to become the latest liberal challenger to unseat a powerful insider in Albany's Democratic establishment. The night did award some progressive candidates, however, including a State Senate seat for first-time Latina candidate, 27-year-old Julia Salazar, as well as Letitia James, New York's public advocate, who will now serve as the state attorney general.

Mr Cuomo's campaign dismissed Ms Nixon 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 Ms Nixon's support for Jewish people. She has two Jewish children and called the attack “sleazy.”

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

Ms Nixon endorsed several progressive candidates vying for positions in Thursday’s election, including Zephyr Teachout, who ran against Ms James for state attorney general, as well as Jumaane Williams, who ran for lieutenant governor.

New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Show all 18 1 /18 New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek East River State Park in Brooklyn Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Third Avenue in Manhattan Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Bergdorf and Goodman on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek AMC Empire, 42nd street in Manhattan Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Fulton Street in Brooklyn Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek A passenger with his pet on the G-train in Brooklyn Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Bowery in Manhattan Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Whyte Avenue in Brooklyn Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Times Square in Manhattan Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Squibb Park in Brooklyn Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Broadway in Manhattan Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Seventh Avenue in Manhattan Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Gotham Awards at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Oculus Church Street in Manhattan Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Models get ready in the Manhattan Centre on 34th street Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Third Avenue on 149th street in the Bronx Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek Whitney Museum of American Art in Manhattan Richard Koek/Lannoo New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek ‘New York New York: A Visual Hymn’ Lannoo

The Democratic Party’s primaries took most of the state's media focus for the day, with just one Republican vying for the governor’s seat. Marc Molinaro, a Dutchess County executive and former member of the New York State Assembly, has also criticised the two-term Democratic incumbent over his handling of the city’s subway system and other major issues.

Follow along with The Independent’s live updates throughout the night, as New Yorkers decide the outcome of the crucial 2018 primaries.