Laura Gillen will defeat Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) to score a key pickup for Democrats eager to retake the House, Decision Desk HQ projects.
New York has been seen as key to Democrats’ hopes of taking back the House majority. D’Esposito is one of a number of freshmen Republicans representing districts President Biden won in 2020 and the state as a whole is solidly blue.
Democrats were particularly optimistic about New York’s 4th Congressional District because it is the most Democratic-leaning district in the country currently represented by a Republican. It voted for President Biden in 2020 by more than 14 points, though D’Esposito was able to win two years ago by about 3.5 points.
Democrats funneled big names and money into the effort to oust D’Esposito.
Polling had suggested the race could be close, with one recent independent poll showing D’Esposito ahead of Gillen by 1 point, within the margin of error. Another showed Gillen with a large lead. But Gillen had the advantage with money, outraising and outspending D’Esposito.
D’Esposito’s campaign was also hit with scandal late in the race when The New York Times released a report that he hired his fiancée’s daughter and a woman he was having an affair with to his office soon after starting his term. D’Esposito denied the report and insisted that he has not behaved unethically while in office, also saying he didn’t think the report would impact the race.
Gillen is a former Hempstead town supervisor who was the nominee for the seat two years ago, falling short to D’Esposito. But Gillen pulled off the win in a rematch, part of what Democrats hope will be a domino effect in the Empire State.
