News 12 is taking a closer look at the presidential election results in New York

New Yorkers told News 12 on Wednesday that they were surprised. 

Tim Harfmann

Nov 7, 2024, 3:38 AM

Updated 35 days ago

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According to reports, Vice President Kamala Harris won the state with nearly 56% of the vote – but it was closer than in recent decades.  
Meanwhile, election results say former President Donald Trump performed 13 points better in New York than he did in 2020.  
New Yorkers told News 12 on Wednesday that they were surprised. 
“I didn’t expect it to be that close or even to go in that direction,” said Deslyn Clarke, of Throgs Neck. 
“I thought it was a sweep home,” said Justice Peprah, of Throgs Neck. “I thought the Democrats would’ve just taken over.”  
The city’s Board of Elections said Harris took home 68% of the vote within the five boroughs, but that’s less than what President Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton claimed in 2020 and 2016, respectively.  
New Yorkers told news 12 that they believe key issues, including immigration and the economy, are what led to closer margins than in years past. 
“[It was] with the buses coming in and bringing in all the migrants, and the homelessness already existing in New York,” said Clarke.   
“People are anxious,” said Peprah. “They listened to [Trump], and they were afraid, ‘Oh, people are coming to take our jobs.’ So, they felt like, yes, Donald Trump would be the best.”   
New Yorkers said, regardless of which way they voted, they’re accepting the results and ready to move forward.