NEW YORK (WBEN) -- Former President Barack Obama, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other local and national lawmakers and leaders celebrated Saturday after Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were projected to win the White House.
"I could not be prouder to congratulate our next President, Joe Biden, and our next First Lady, Jill Biden. I also couldn't be prouder to congratulate Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff for Kamala's groundbreaking election as our next Vice President," Obama said in a statement.
The former president continued: "In this election, under circumstances never experienced, Americans turned out in numbers never seen. And once every vote is counted, President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris will have won a historic and decisive victory," Obama wrote. "We're fortunate that Joe's got what it takes to be President and already carries himself that way. Because when he walks into the White House in January, he'll face a series of extraordinary challenges no incoming President ever has—a raging pandemic, an unequal economy and justice system, a democracy at risk, and a climate in peril."
Gov. Andrew Cuomo called it a "historic day."
"After the darkness, division and hate of the past four years, America has spoken and rejected more of the same," Cuomo said in a statement.
"Congratulations to my good friend President-Elect Joe Biden and to Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris. Today we go forward in hope and progress," the governor said.
"After 230 years — you shattered two ceilings," Cuomo tweeted at Harris. "A truly historic achievement."
Mayor Bill de Blasio also cheered Biden and Harris, writing that "the people have spoken and it was worth the wait."
"A glass ceiling shattered. A status quo broken," de Blasio said of Harris. "You've already made history. Thank you for knocking barriers down for all of the young women in our city and country."
State Attorney General Letitia James wrote, "Under the leadership of President-elect @JoeBiden and Vice President-elect @KamalaHarris, the promise of America is bright."
"This is a victory for the soul of our nation, and I look to the future with optimism and hope for all Americans," James continued.
Sen. Chuck Schumer tweeted, "The long dark night in America is over, and a new dawn is coming."
The senator also tweeted: "History. The first woman to be Vice President. The first African American to be Vice President. The first Asian American to be Vice President. I'm so proud of my friend Kamala Harris!"
Schumer showed up at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, waving a Biden/Harris campaign sign amid a crowd of people.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand tweeted: "This country faces many big challenges, and I know that @JoeBiden will rise to meet them with decency and compassion, and do the necessary work to heal our nation. Congratulations on your victory, Joe! I look forward to working alongside you in the days and months ahead."
"There's much to celebrate, but more than anything, I'm excited to celebrate calling my friend @KamalaHarris Madam Vice President," Gillibrand tweeted. "She's made history as the first woman, first Black person, first South Asian elected VP. Congratulations, Kamala! Ready to get to work."
Sen. Cory Booker tweeted: "Americans made their voices heard in historic numbers. They chose love over hate, hope over fear, unity over division. We struggled and sacrificed for this moment. Now we celebrate our next President @JoeBiden and Vice President @KamalaHarris. Let's get to work."
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Biden and Harris' "history-making ticket" was a "repudiation of Trump."
"The voters have spoken, and they have chosen @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris to be our next president and vice president," Clinton wrote. "It's a history-making ticket, a repudiation of Trump, and a new page for America. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. Onward, together."
Former President Bill Clinton tweeted: "America has spoken and democracy has won. Now we have a President-Elect and Vice President-Elect who will serve all of us and bring us all together. Congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on your momentous victory!"
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted: "Congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden & Vice President-elect Kamala Harris!"
