ALBANY, N.Y. — In a notable congressional contest on Long Island, Democrat Laura Gillen has achieved victory over U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, marking a significant shift for Democrats as they reclaim a third House seat in New York. This win comes as part of an effort to counterbalance a Republican surge that affected the suburban and rural regions of the state in the previous election.
The race was officially declared on Thursday, with Gillen previously facing D’Esposito in 2022, where she lost by a narrow margin in a district that had voted for President Joe Biden by a significant margin two years prior. This time around, Gillen, who is an attorney, adjunct law professor, and former town supervisor of Hempstead, emerged victorious in the suburban areas of Long Island. Just a year ago, the GOP held all four House seats on the island, but the current outcome sees both parties sharing equal representation with two seats each.
On Election Night, Gillen announced her victory before the official call from the Associated Press, emphasizing her commitment to bipartisan cooperation. “This coalition resonated with a simple message: enough of the chaos, enough of the corruption — let’s work together, Democrats and Republicans, to address the pressing issues we face,” Gillen stated. She assured her constituents that she would strive daily to foster collaboration across party lines, aiming to overcome divisions.
Her win adds a positive note for Democrats amidst a challenging election cycle, particularly after Republican Donald Trump’s presidential victory and the GOP’s takeover of the Senate. Alongside D’Esposito, two other Republican incumbents also lost their bids for re-election in New York.
In central New York, Democrat John Mannion won against Republican U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams, whose district had been reshaped unfavorably for the GOP. Additionally, Democrat Josh Riley triumphed over Republican U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro in a district extending from the Hudson Valley through the Catskills to the Finger Lakes region. These victories have reconfigured the state’s congressional representation to 19 Democrats and seven Republicans, a significant change from the prior year when Republicans held 11 of the state’s congressional seats.
Democratic gains were also bolstered by the expulsion of Republican George Santos from Congress due to fraud charges, a seat that was subsequently won by Democrat Tom Suozzi in a special election. Seeking to improve their standing after previous election losses, New York Democrats revamped their campaign strategies and increased staffing in competitive districts to enhance voter engagement. According to Jay Jacobs, chair of the New York State Democratic Committee, national political groups also injected more resources into New York’s races this cycle.
“That was the difference from 2022. In 2022, national money was just not sent to New York. New York was taken for granted,” Jacobs noted, adding that the lack of resources previously hindered their campaign efforts. This year, Democratic messaging was increasingly tailored to resonate with moderate voters, coupled with warnings that a Republican-led Congress could impose restrictions on abortion rights.
However, the overall sentiment among New York Democrats remained subdued, as highlighted by Governor Kathy Hochul, who expressed concerns over Trump’s electoral success. At a news conference, she celebrated her party’s victories but acknowledged the need to combat Trump’s policies as they move forward: “We’ll need all of them fighting on our behalf in Washington, now more than ever.”
In other results, U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, a prominent figure in the GOP, secured a second term against former U.S. Rep. Mondaire Jones, while U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota upheld Republican strength in eastern Long Island by defeating former Democrat John Avlon, a former CNN analyst. Ed Cox, chair of the New York Republican Party, remarked that voters opting for Republican candidates had delivered a clear message, criticizing issues such as taxes, crime, and spending. He stated, “The people demanded change, and last night, Republicans delivered.”