Zeldin had quite the impressive performance for competing in an extremely deep blue bastion. 52% to 48% is an exceptional showing. Really pushed Hochul everywhere but NYC (outside of Long Island). Erie county broke for Hochul by the slimmest of margins, 50.13 to 49.87. If the state wasn't drug down by NYC it would have been a decisive victory for Zeldin. It is just next to impossible to win a governorship in modern day NY as a Republican.