Rep. Nick LaLota, a Republican who represents part of Long Island, defeated Democratic challenger John Avlon in Tuesday’s election, keeping the island’s eastern end in GOP hands and giving the party a boost in its push to keep control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
LaLota, a first-term congressman, was declared the winner by Newsday as he led Avlon by more than 40,000 votes with nearly all ballots tabulated.
LaLota’s 1st congressional district, which spans most of Suffolk County and includes the ultra-wealthy Hamptons enclaves, has been represented by Republicans for a decade.
But Democrats, who are hoping to flip the GOP-controlled House in this year’s elections, had eyed the 1st district as ripe for a blue pickup amid distaste in New York for ex-President Donald Trump.
Avlon, a former CNN anchor and political analyst, sought to capitalize on anti-Trump sentiment by painting LaLota as a loyalist to the former president. Issues including immigration, abortion and public safety have also been key focuses in the race.
The LaLota-Avlon contest took on major importance on a national scale as the Republican Party controls the House of Representatives by a slim eight-seat margin.
LaLota’s is one of six House races in New York alone that are highly competitive, meaning results from the Empire State could play a major factor in determining who secures a majority in the chamber next year.
It was too early to tell late Tuesday which party will earn a majority in the 435 seat House, as ballots continued to be tallied in races across the country.
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