'I've never seen anything like this': New York suburb overwhelmed by tight House race

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ROCKLAND COUNTY, NEW YORK -- When Republican Rep. Mike Lawler walked astir a trick-or-treat arena astatine Strawtown Elementary School successful West Nyack Friday, he was mobbed by group asking for selfies, ecstatic that nan first word lawmaker seeking reelection successful a battleground territory showed up.

Except nary of them could vote. They were each children.

But aft tens of millions of dollars person been spent present connected a important House race, nan kids still amazingly knew precisely who he was -- aliases astatine slightest expected to be, asking if it was really him aliases personification successful a hyper realistic Lawler Halloween costume.

That's not to opportunity nan guidance was without worth -- these kids' parents do vote, and successful a tight title betwixt Lawler and erstwhile Democratic Rep. Mondaire Jones, they could clasp nan cardinal to nan House mostly successful their hand.

GOP Rep. Mike Lawler takes a selfie successful nan Strawtown Elementary School parking lot.

Tal Axelrod/ABC News

And while nan children were excited to spot Lawler, their consciousness underscored conscionable really omnipresent nan title had go here. Actual voters successful this legislature territory sounded a different note, though: fatigue.

"Who invited him?" 1 genitor asked astatine nan arena erstwhile they heard that Lawler was coming to Strawtown.

Conversations pinch complete 2 twelve voters present revealed a vexation pinch nan detonation of run activity present this cycle, lamenting that they're getting bombarded. Having grown up here, I had ne'er seen it for illustration this earlier either.

Lawn signs are everywhere. Voters can't spell connected YouTube aliases move connected nan tv without getting blitzed pinch ads, fueled by tens of millions of dollars successful run spending. When I came home, message solicitations for some sides were laid retired for maine to peruse -- sent complete conscionable nan past fewer days, location were capable to broad half nan room island. Heaps much had already been recycled.

Such activity is emblematic during predetermination seasons, chiefly successful competitory purple states crossed nan Rust Belt and Sun Belt. Here, though, group are still acclimating to nan intensity.

Located successful a authorities that's heavy bluish connected nan statesmanlike level, this suburb was represented for a agelong clip successful Congress by elder Democrats for illustration Eliot Engel and Nita Lowey, some of whom coasted to reelection pinch nominal guidance successful older versions of this district.

Voters statement up successful Peekskill to formed their ballot.

Tal Axelrod/ABC News

Now, though, pinch Lawler's 2022 upset and a tight statesmanlike race, nan area now finds itself astatine nan halfway of nan 2024 predetermination cycle. And successful an area politically divided, voters are agreed successful their irritation.

"It is simply a spot bombarding, I would say, pinch nan texts, I don't cognize really I sewage onto truthful galore matter lists," said Robert Zucker, an electrical technologist from Valley Cottage who's voting Republican down nan line.

"When I get online, it's for illustration that, it's connected my phone, I move down nan TV. I don't want to perceive nan ads anymore from either side. I conscionable don't want to perceive them anymore. It's hard," added Shirley Lasker-Fox, an Upper Nyack Democrat.

Some voters grudgingly recognized nan logic down each nan activity.

The title is connected nan knife's edge, aft all, and suburban districts for illustration this are astatine nan bosom of some parties' paths to powerfulness successful Congress. While it's not ideal, they said, this House title is important, and frankincense deserving of nan attraction it's getting.

But astir residents were exasperated.

Peri Karkheck, a retired creation coach and Trump supporter, called it "nasty and disgusting."

"I've ne'er seen thing for illustration this," she said.

Beyond being disappointment pinch nan flurry of activity, voters lamented that nan governmental ambiance successful nan area had grown tense. Nobody wanted to talk authorities anymore, immoderate said. Others told of relationships that had been strained complete governmental differences.

Two section signs connected Strawtown Road read, "YOU WANT TO SAVE AMERICA VOTE TRUMP OR YOU'RE THE ENEMY!"

Lawn signs supporting Trump telephone opponents nan "enemy."

Tal Axelrod/ABC News

This suburb by nary intends ever had a "small town" vibe -- it's still a populated vicinity filled pinch New York City commuters. But tales of knocked-over section signs and graffiti connected car shed doors marked a acold outcry from nan benignant of ambiance I remembered increasing up.

Yet that was a clip erstwhile simple schoolhouse students would've been difficult pressed to admit their congressman.

"This is nan tensest it's ever been," said Kevin Riley, a Peekskill Democrat. "This is really a tight election. A batch of group are tensed up astir this. I person mates of brothers that are going 1 side, and sewage different relative going pinch me. And so, nan arguments, hopefully by Thanksgiving, we're each kissing each other."

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