Incumbent LaLota (R) Faces Tough Challenge From Democrat Avlon In New York Congressional Race‌

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Nicholas J. LaLota (R) and John Avlon (D) are running in the general election for New York’s 1st Congressional District on November 5.

According to City and State New York’s Eliot Force, “The 1st Congressional District has voted for Republican representatives in every election cycle since 2014, and it became slightly more favorable to Republicans after the latest round of redistricting, so cable news pundit John Avlon faces a difficult race against incumbent Rep. Nick LaLota. On the other hand, LaLota’s only been in Congress for one term, and he lacks the name recognition of his predecessor Lee Zeldin.”

As of Aug. 6, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Decision Desk HQ, The Hill, and Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated the district as Likely Republican, and Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rated the district as Lean Republican.

LaLota served in the U.S. Navy from 1996 to 2007. LaLota received a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 2000, a master’s degree in business administration from Hofstra University in 2012, and a law degree from Hofstra University in 2020. LaLota worked as the chief of staff to the Suffolk County Legislature, commissioner of the Suffolk County Board of Elections, chief of staff for a New York Senator, and veterans advocate with the U.S. House of Representatives.

LaLota said, “High prices and the border are the two issues that voters tell me most about. They want solutions from the federal government. We are on the wrong track on those issues. The government spends way too much. We tax way too much. We should stop how much we overtax and overspend. Concurrently, we have to secure our southern border and implement Trump-era policies that keep our border secure. These are the things on which I’m campaigning. These are the things on which voters in Suffolk want county politicians to focus.”

Avlon received a bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 1996 and a master’s degree in business administration from Columbia University in 2006. Avlon worked as a speechwriter at the New York Mayor’s office for former Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R), columnist and editor for the New York Sun and Newsweek, editor-in-chief for the Daily Beast, and political analyst for CNN.

Avlon completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. In it, Avlon said, “I am a common-sense Democrat running to flip a swing seat from red to blue in Suffolk County, New York. In 2024, we need to build the broadest possible coalition to defend our democracy, defeat Donald Trump, and win back Congress from his MAGA minions, who aren’t even trying to solve problems anymore. When this hyper-partisan fever breaks, we need to restore faith that the American government can work for Suffolk County families again by rebuilding the middle class, protecting reproductive freedom, combating climate change, and defending our democracy. We need to reduce the cost of living and improve the quality of life.”

Based on Q2 2024 reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, LaLota had raised $3 million and spent $857,282 and Avlon had raised $2.3 million and spent $1.7 million. To review all the campaign finance figures in full detail, click here.

Patrick Denman (Independent), Ryan Kalata (Independent), and Jarrett Matthews Adorno (Independent) are also running in the general election.

Produced in association with Ballotpedia