Rematch between Anthony D'Esposito and Laura Gillen eclipses 2022 spending

The rematch between first-term Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito and former Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen in the 4th Congressional District already has surpassed the campaign spending in the 2022 election in what is a top target for national Democrats.

D’Esposito spent $1.3 million from July through September and $2.6 million so far in the campaign, and has $1.7 million in the bank after raising $865,886 in the third quarter, his campaign reported to the Federal Election Commission Tuesday.

Gillen spent $1.9 million during that same stretch and nearly $2.7 million overall, and has $3 million in cash after raising $2.4 million in the last three months, her campaign filing with the FEC said.

Meanwhile, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) aims to defend his seat and win a second term against his Democratic challenger John Avalon of Sag Harbor, a former journalist and CNN commentator, in what’s shaping up to be a very expensive race.

Both have already spent about $2.5 million overall this year and could spend that much in the final stretch to the Nov. 5 election.

In the past three months, LaLota’s campaign reported it raised $898,903, spent $1.5 million and had nearly $1.6 million in cash. Avlon’s campaign said it raised nearly $2.1 million, spend $969,580 and had $1.7 million in the bank.

Check back for updates on this developing story.