Three-term Democratic New York U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer won re-election on Tuesday, easily fending off a challenge from a little-known and poorly funded Republican New York City lawyer.
"I'm humbled, humbled by the trust my fellow New Yorkers have continued to put in me," Schumer told supporters after cruising to victory over Wendy Long. "I promise this: I will work every day to be deserving of your trust."
Schumer is in line to succeed retiring Nevada Sen. Harry Reid as leader of Senate Democrats next year. With Tuesday's victory he's poised to become majority leader if Democrats retake the Senate.
"There's a chance I could become the majority leader of the United States Senate," he said to cheers, "but I promise you, if I get that honor I'll be working for New York as hard as ever because I love New York and it's in my bones."
Schumer was first elected to Congress in 1980 and hasn't faced a serious challenge in the heavily Democratic state since defeating Republican incumbent Sen. Alfonse D'Amato in 1998.
Long linked herself to presidential candidate Donald Trump and his policy proposals in her second Senate run. In 2012, Long challenged Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand as Gillibrand sought her first full term; Gillibrand won easily.
