GOP defends 2 seats in NY swing districts as Dems poised to flip 3 other battlegrounds

New York Republicans successfully defended a brace of legislature plaything districts moreover arsenic Democrats appeared to return backmost astatine slightest 2 House seats that nan GOP flipped successful 2022, preliminary Election Day results show.

But nan Democrats’ claimed wins successful nan Empire State apt won’t matter arsenic Republicans clinched power of nan US Senate, vied for reclaiming nan House of Representatives and held a constrictive lead successful nan title for nan presidency early Wednesday.

Perhaps nan highest-profile GOP triumph came arsenic Republican Rep. Mike Lawler declared precocious Tuesday that he gave erstwhile Congress personnel Mondaire Jones an “ass kicking” successful a intimately matchup.

Lawler strode retired to cheers and nan sound of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” precocious Tuesday arsenic early results showed him up 55% to Jones’ 43%, according to Associated Press results from nan little Hudson Valley race.

“What an absolute ass kicking!” Lawler told nan triumph statement crowd.

“Tonight nan Hudson Valley told Mondaire Jones to ‘Beat It’!”

Republicans had hopes to grow their electoral foothold successful New York’s legislature delegation aft unexpectedly helping springiness nan GOP return power of Congress successful nan 2022 midterms — but their dreams of further gains successful nan profoundly bluish Empire State were connected nan ropes precocious Election Night.

Democrats appeared to reclaim astatine slightest 2 legislature seats that Republicans flipped 2 years agone — pinch a clear triumph successful 1 race, a campaigner declaring triumph successful different and a wide lead successful a 3rd title successful a battleground district.

Dem John Mannion unseated Rep. Brandon Williams successful nan upstate 22nd Congressional District, aft nan Associated Press projected Mannion arsenic nan winner.

He carried astir 54% of nan ballot to Williams’ 46%, pinch 81% of ballots counted.

The triumph came arsenic Democrat Laura Gillen declared victory complete GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito successful nan Fourth Congressional District, covering Long Island’s South Shore done cardinal Nassau County.

But D’Esposito refused to concede, arsenic astir 6,000 votes separated nan candidates arsenic per nan latest tallies aft 1 a.m. Wednesday.

“That goes pinch nan brand, doesn’t it?” said Jay Jacobs, nan chair of nan New York State Democratic Committee.

“The bottommost statement is I don’t spot a way to him winning. And I understand — look it’s difficult to suffer a legislature spot connected a quality level I consciousness severely for him — but astatine nan extremity of nan time Laura Gillen will beryllium nan congresswoman and she will beryllium sworn successful and that’s each that counts.”

Meanwhile, Democrat Josh Riley was locked successful a tight title pinch Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro successful nan upstate 19th Congressional District.

At property time, Molinaro was down astir 13,000 votes pinch 97% of nan ballot counted — a separator that he appeared improbable to beryllium capable to make up.

“While we would person liked to extremity coming pinch much votes, we want beryllium judge each absentee and affidavit is counted,” he said successful a connection early Wednesday. “I’m truthful grateful to my family, friends, and supporters, and will person much to opportunity successful nan coming days.”

Meanwhille, Democratic incumbent Rep. Pat Ryan was besides projected to clasp his battleground spot complete Republican challenger Alison Esposito successful a tight suburban district, according to nan Associated Press.

Ryan racked up astir 58% of votes compared to Esposito’s 42%, pinch 94% of ballots tallied.

The 18th Congressional District covering Orange, Dutchess and Ulster counties was 1 of nan astir competitory races in nan 2024 election, arsenic Democrats hoped to wrest Republicans’ razor-thin power of nan House.

On Long Island, Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi claimed triumph precocious Tuesday and is expected to retain power of disgraced erstwhile GOP Rep. George Santos’ aged seat.

Suozzi carried 51% of votes, while his Republican challenger Michael LiPetri Jr. snagged 49%, pinch 98% of expected ballots tallied, according to nan Associated Press.

Another Long Island incumbent congressman besides claimed triumph — but this clip for nan Republicans.

Freshman Republican Rep. Nick LaLota handily defeated Democratic challenger John Avlon 55% to 44% successful a conflict for a legislature spot connected Long Island’s East End, according to nan Associated Press.