7 NYS congressional races may hold key to control of U.S. House
The U.S. Capitol, is seen on sunrise in Washington, on Tuesday. Credit: AP/Jose Luis Magana
At least seven congressional races in New York State were under the political microscope as the Election Day polls closed Tuesday, expected to play a key role in whether Republicans or Democrats control the House of Representatives.
Three of those races were on Long Island. One Democrat incumbent and two Republicans were taking on challengers who think they had a shot at flipping the seat.
No state other than California has as many congressional seats in play as does New York. As a result, races here have spurred nearly $90 million in campaign spending by special-interest groups and nearly $50 million by the candidates’ campaigns — meaning New York ranks about the biggest spending races in the country.
Nationally, more than $1 billion has been spent since Labor Day alone, CNN reported.
Going into the election, Republicans held 220 seats in the House of Representatives, Democrats held 212. There are three vacancies. To win control, a party must win 218 seats this election.
Control of the House will determine not only agenda for Congress but also with winner of the presidential election, Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Kamala Harris.
On Long Island, the key races were:
Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) facing Democrat Laura Gillen, the former Hempstead town supervisor in the 4th District; Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) against Republican Michael LiPetri, a former state assemblyman from Farmingdale in the 3rd District; and Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) against Democrat John Avlon in the 1st District.
Those aren’t the only New York races to watch.
Others include three freshman Republicans trying to hold on:
- Rep. Michael Lawler of Rockland County against former Congressman Mondaire Jones, a Democrat, in a Hudson Valley district.
- Rep. Marc Molinaro of Catskill against Democrat Josh Riley in a district that runs from the Hudson River to Ithaca and the Southern Tier;
- Rep. Brandon Williams of Syracuse facing a strong challenge from State Sen. John Mannion.
One Democrat playing defense was Pat Ryan of Ulster County, who is facing Republican Alison Esposito in the Hudson Valley.
As the campaigns hit the stretch run, Lawrence Levy, executive dean of suburban studies at Hofstra University, told Newsday: "Control of Congress runs through New York State, and particularly through Long Island."
Swing seats were spread out through the country.
Races in Virginia, Alaska, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maine, California, Texas and one centered around Omaha, Nebraska, are among the most closely watched.
Though it’s unlikely trends will develop immediately, two races in Virginia will be among the first to be settled and could provide insight, said Kyle Kondik, the managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, the election analysis newsletter published by the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.
Republicans are defending in the southeast corner of the state, centered around Virginia Beach, while Democrats are defending a suburban Washington seat, Kondik said.
"If there is an upset in either race, it could be a sign of things to come," Kondik said, before adding: "Then again, it’s just one seat."
Watch live: Polls are now closed on Long Island. Follow along with NewsdayTV's live coverage and analysis of all the election results as they start coming in.
Watch live: Polls are now closed on Long Island. Follow along with NewsdayTV's live coverage and analysis of all the election results as they start coming in.
