NEW YORK — Republicans have officially flipped two of New York’s Democratic-held congressional districts — and appeared on the brink of netting another two Wednesday, putting the GOP within striking distance of reclaiming a majority in the House of Representatives.
The GOP’s most high-profile pickup came in the state’s 17th Congressional District, where Republican challenger Mike Lawler defeated incumbent Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney.
Maloney, the leader of his party’s campaign arm in the House, was expected to concede the race for the Hudson Valley district in a news conference Wednesday morning, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to the Daily News. Lawler’s win marks a major blow to House Democrats, given Maloney’s prominent role in the party.
Another GOP pickup came in New York’s open 3rd Congressional District, which encompasses a portion of eastern Queens and western Nassau County, where Republican George Santos was declared the winner by The Associated Press shortly after midnight Wednesday as he held a sizable lead over Democrat George Zimmerman. The seat is currently held by outgoing Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who opted to launch a failed bid for governor instead of running for reelection.
Marcus Molinaro and Anthony D’Esposito, respectively the Republican candidates in the Democratic-held 19th and 4th Congressional districts, are also on track to win their elections, according to unofficial results. Their races had not been officially called as of Wednesday morning.
Republicans entered Tuesday’s midterm elections hoping to flip five Democratic seats in New York.
The only New York prize the GOP does not appear slated to net is the 18th District, where incumbent Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan fended off a challenge from Republican Colin Schmitt.
The four likely Republican upsets in New York give the GOP a major boost in its quest to secure majority control of the House.
Going into the midterms, Republicans needed to gain just five seats nationwide in order to flip the House, which is currently controlled by a slim Democratic majority.
Despite months of hype from national Republicans and former President Donald Trump that a “red tsunami” would wash over the House, the GOP underperformed in races across the country and did not flip as many districts as some projections had suggested the party could. In a surprise, Democrat Hillary Scholten flipped a district in west Michigan that has long been held by Republicans, giving her party hope that they could potentially hold on to control of the House.
The Republican Party’s strong New York performance, however, appears like it could propel the GOP into a majority, albeit a very slim one. It was not known Wednesday which party will ultimately end up holding majority control in the lower chamber, as a number of races across the country remained too close to call.
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