PATCHOOG, NY — The race in Long Island’s 1st Congressional District between Rep. Nick LaLota and former CNN reporter John Avlon was considered a toss-up. The district is filled with independent voters and could certainly influence the balance of power in Washington.
The territory the district covers is vast, from the farmers and fishermen of the East End to the middle-class suburbs stretching west to Huntington, a mix of working-class towns, rural farming communities and wealthy enclaves.
The race is considered crucial because it is one of the few observers who help determine control of the House of Representatives.
Where LaLota and Avlon stand on these issues
LaLota, the one-term incumbent Republican, is trying to make his case for re-election. His election in 2022 helped Republicans take control of the House of Representativeswith a “red wave” washing over Long Island and the Republican party winning all four seats, even though more voters were registered as Democrats on the island. LaLota has touted his bipartisanship during his first term.
LaLota, 46, has close ties to Donald Trump on the border, the economy and crime.
“Affordability, whether it’s at the border and crime crises or just home delivery on Long Island, these are some of the things I’m focused on in Congress,” LaLota said.
LaLota, who attended St. Anthony’s High School and then the U.S. Naval Academy and Hofstra Law, has been involved in Suffolk politics for many years. His wife is a teacher.
Avlon, who voted in Sag Harbor Tuesday morning, was born in New York City and is the son of Greek immigrants. The 51-year-old graduated from Yale and Columbia, was a political commentator and strategist and is incidentally married to a Republican, Margaret Hoover, the great-granddaughter of Herbert Hoover.
“Let’s turn a new leaf. Let’s actually build something better on the other side of this toxic tribalism,” Avlon said. “We need to get back together. We need to turn the page on division and dysfunction, and I think the stakes in this election are about common ground over chaos.”
Voters have taken notice of Avlon’s conflicting messages on abortion, gun control, climate change and health care.
“I believe the decision to have an abortion should be between a woman, her doctor and her god,” Avlon said.
“I don’t think the federal government should interfere with state abortion laws,” LaLota said.
Lalota portrays Avlon as a carpetbagger because he also owns a house in Gramercy Park. However, Avlon has pointed to Lalota’s home in Amityville, which is not part of the neighborhood.
Both LaLota and Avlon have said they would try that increase the $10,000 limit for SALTbut otherwise disagreed on their approach to a range of issues, including gun control and how to solve the housing crisis.
Jennifer McLogan
