Bill de Blasio
Bill de BlasioReuters

Bill de Blasio on Tuesday won re-election as mayor of New York City.

De Blasio, a Democrat, defeated Republican state lawmaker Nicole Malliotakis as well as several third-party candidates, according to The Associated Press, which called the election for de Blasio shortly after polls closed in the city.

On the campaign trail, the mayor touted his success enacting universal pre-K and cited efforts to expand affordable housing and keep New York City affordable for all income levels. He said that if given a second term he would pursue further investments in education and housing and stand up to the policies of Republican President Donald Trump.

"It's been four years. I think we made real tangible changes in people's lives," de Blasio said after he cast his vote in Park Slope, Brooklyn, on Tuesday morning.

"I would be very humbled and honored to serve as your mayor again for the next four years," he added.

De Blasio's first term as mayor was dogged by feuds with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and investigations into campaign donations and pay-to-play politics.

Last year, he blasted those of the so-called "progressive" sector who support the movement to boycott Israel (BDS).

De Blasio asserted at the time that support for Israel “is a matter of being consistent with progressive values [and expresses] an understanding that we must always learn the painful lessons of history and do something about it.”